Table 1

Approximate costs for commonly used investigations in children with chronic abdominal pain

InvestigationCost (£)*
Full blood count7.99
Urea & electrolytes6.48
Liver function tests8.10
Amylase1.62
C-reactive protein5.68
Glucose1.62
Coeliac screening: Anti-Transglutaminase antibodies18.20
Urinalysis10.00
Stool microscopy, culture and sensitivity20.51
Abdominal x-ray69.55
Abdominal ultrasound135.39
Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy±Biopsy1714.97

  • *Costings are for elective investigations; non-electively they can be considerably more expensive.