Evaluating Abdominal Ultrasound in Pediatric Acute Abdominal Pain Diagnosis

Background: Acute abdominal pain in children presents significant diagnostic challenges due to diverse etiologies and overlapping clinical features. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic value and limitations of abdominal ultrasound in children presenting with acute abdominal pain and assess appropriate clinical indications for its use. Material and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 120 pediatric patients presenting with acute abdominal pain. All patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography, and findings were correlated with final clinical diagnoses. Results: Ultrasound accurately identified common conditions such as mesenteric lymphadenitis and acute appendicitis, while a subset of patients demonstrated normal scans, emphasizing the importance of clinical correlation. Conclusion: Abdominal ultrasound is a reliable first-line imaging modality in pediatric acute abdomen when used judiciously and interpreted alongside clinical findings.