Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of free peritoneal fluid in children with abdominal pain, identify conditions associated with this finding, and determine the ability of ultrasonography to detect associated abnormalities. Two hundred and fifty children with acute abdominal pain and a reference group of 50 asymptomatic children were evaluated for the presence of free peritoneal fluid. Free peritoneal fluid was noted in 72 (29%) symptomatic and three (6%) asymptomatic children. ⋯ Fluid is noted in association with a variety of abdominal and pelvic disorders. In approximately one half of symptomatic children with free peritoneal fluid, the final diagnosis is abdominal pain or gastroenteritis of unknown etiology. In the remainder, ultrasonography aids in the determination of a specific diagnosis.