Clinical Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children: Diagnostic Value of History, Physical Examination and Laboratory Tests

This review examines the diagnostic value of clinical history taking, physical examination, and laboratory investigations in the evaluation of gastrointestinal disorders in children. It discusses the role of symptom assessment, feeding and dietary history, growth monitoring, and systematic abdominal examination in establishing an initial diagnosis. The contribution of laboratory investigations, including complete blood count, inflammatory markers, biochemical tests, stool analysis, and disease-specific serology, is also considered.