New belly pain test could save kids from unnecessary hospital trips

NCT ID NCT06762275

Recruiting now Diagnosis Sponsor: University Medical Center Groningen Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 14, 2026 · Updated 4 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.

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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.

ACUTE ABDOMEN IN CHILDREN APPENDICITIS ACUTE

Contacts and locations

Locations

University Medical Center Groningen
RECRUITING

Groningen, Provincie Groningen, 9700AD, Netherlands

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