New belly pain test could save kids from unnecessary hospital trips

NCT ID NCT06762275

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether a simple checklist plus a finger-prick blood test can help family doctors decide which children with belly pain need to go to the hospital for possible appendicitis. About 566 children aged 4 to 18 will take part. If it works, fewer kids without appendicitis will be sent to the hospital, while still catching those who really need care.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Clinical prediction rule and C-reactive protein point-of-care test

What this could lead to

If successful, this could give GPs a simple, reliable tool to reduce unnecessary hospital referrals for children with belly pain while still catching appendicitis cases early.

What could go wrong

This is a relatively small trial in one country, and the strategy may not work as well in other settings. The test is not a perfect diagnostic tool, so some cases could still be missed.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

appendicitis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • University Medical Center Groningen

    RECRUITING

    Groningen, Provincie Groningen, 9700AD, Netherlands

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••