Acute abdominal pain in children caused by pneumonia.

Three children presented with symptoms of an acute abdomen. In all three a diagnosis of pneumonia was subsequently established, and the patients made a full recovery following antibiotic therapy. When a paediatric patient presents with symptoms of an acute abdomen, the possibility of pneumonia should be considered. It can be difficult to differentiate between appendicitis and pneumonia because of the subtle clinical signs. Early recognition is, however, important in order to start the correct therapy and to avoid an unnecessary laparotomy.