RAP is very commonly observed in the pediatric population affecting around 10%–20% of school-going children. The term “recurrent abdominal pain” should not be used as a diagnosis; it is encompassed in the term “chronic abdominal pain” and is a heterogeneous disorder. Recurrent abdominal pain was defined by four criteria:
- ≥3 episodes of abdominal pain
- Pain sufficiently severe to affect activities
- Episodes occur for ≥3 months
- No known organic cause
Recurrent abdominal pain of childhood encompasses both organic and functional etiologies though functional causes are common; organic causes need to be excluded.