In suspected functional abdominal pain, which dietary trial is commonly recommended alongside an initial lab work-up?

In suspected functional abdominal pain, which dietary trial is commonly recommended alongside an initial lab work-up?

• A. A lactose-free diet trial for 3 days
• B. A gluten-free diet
• C. A ketogenic diet
• D. A high-fiber diet

Answer: (A)

In suspected functional abdominal pain, after doing an initial basic work-up to rule out organic disease, a short dietary trial helps identify reversible triggers. Lactose intolerance is a common contributor to abdominal symptoms in children, so removing dairy can quickly reveal whether dairy is driving the pain, bloating, or discomfort. A brief three-day lactose-free trial provides a practical, rapid screen without long-term dietary changes. If symptoms improve during the trial, it supports lactose intolerance as a contributor and guides further management, including a plan for reintroduction and ensuring calcium and vitamin D intake with dairy alternatives if needed. If there’s no improvement, you continue evaluation for other factors and possible organic causes. Gluten-free adjustment is more targeted toward conditions like celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, not a general first-line test for functional abdominal pain. A ketogenic diet is inappropriate for children and has no role in this context. A high-fiber diet can help with constipation-related symptoms but isn’t a targeted diagnostic test for the common, non-organic contributors of functional abdominal pain. The lactose-free trial stands out as the most direct, practical initial dietary step in this scenario.

In suspected functional abdominal pain, after doing an initial basic work-up to rule out organic disease, a short dietary trial helps identify reversible triggers. Lactose intolerance is a common contributor to abdominal symptoms in children, so removing dairy can quickly reveal whether dairy is driving the pain, bloating, or discomfort. A brief three-day lactose-free trial provides a practical, rapid screen without long-term dietary changes. If symptoms improve during the trial, it supports lactose intolerance as a contributor and guides further management, including a plan for reintroduction and ensuring calcium and vitamin D intake with dairy alternatives if needed. If there’s no improvement, you continue evaluation for other factors and possible organic causes.

Gluten-free adjustment is more targeted toward conditions like celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, not a general first-line test for functional abdominal pain. A ketogenic diet is inappropriate for children and has no role in this context. A high-fiber diet can help with constipation-related symptoms but isn’t a targeted diagnostic test for the common, non-organic contributors of functional abdominal pain. The lactose-free trial stands out as the most direct, practical initial dietary step in this scenario.