How comfortable are we with uncertainty?  I struggle with this question every day.  I treat children with abdominal pain.  Some of these children suffer with crohns disease, eosinophilic esophagitis, and other serious problems.  Some children struggle with abdominal pain from anxiety or social concerns.  I see all kinds.

But kids are tricky and sometimes I can’t pinpoint the problem.  Trudging forward with more testing is often the simplest option since it involves little thinking.  And some parents perceive endless testing as ‘thorough.’

The question ultimately becomes:  When do we stop?  Once we’ve taken a sensible first approach to a child’s problem and judged that the likelihood of serious pathology is slim, when and how do we suggest that we wait before going any further?  This requires the most sensitive negotiation.  It’s about finding a way to make a family comfortable despite the absence of absolute certainty.  This is easier said than done.  Parents can unintentionally advocate for themselves and their worries by insisting on the full court press.  Alternatively they may refuse invasive studies when absolutely indicated.

All of this is for good reason: You can’t be objective with your own kids.

Pediatrics is tricky business and managing parental uncertainty is perhaps my biggest preoccupation.  As I’ve suggested before, sometimes convincing a family to do less represents the most challenging approach.

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