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AAP News Vol. 15 No. 9 September 1999, p. 3 © 1999 American Academy of Pediatrics
Children were more likely to be admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain during the school year than during vacations, according to a British study. Researchers analyzed one hospital's records for five years and determined the number of admissions for acute appendicitis and nonspecific abdominal pain for children ages 5 to 15. They found 1,832 children had nonspecific abdominal pain, and 643 underwent appendectomy. Admission rates for acute appendicitis were similar during the school term (41 weeks) and holidays (11 weeks). However, admission rates for nonspecific abdominal pain were 1.4 times greater during the school term.
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