Symptoms of appendicitis in children
Symptoms of appendicitis in children
Contents
1 Appendicitis in children
2 Symptoms of appendicitis in children
3 causes of appendicitis in children
4 Treatment of appendicitis in children
5 References
Appendicitis in children
Appendix, or Vermiform appendix, is a hollow tube closed on one side.
It is connected to the other side with the first part of the large intestine, called the cecum.
The length of the appendix ranges between 8-10 cm in the normal position.
Its width is usually no more than 1.3 cm,
The lumen of the appendix is as narrow as possible where it meets the cecum.
It is not yet known of any benefit or specific function of the appendix,
However, some hypotheses indicate that it contains bacteria that are beneficial for the digestive system,
It may also contribute to the production of cells belonging to the endocrine system of the fetus,
In addition to the possibility that it plays role in the function of the immune system in the human body,
And that in the first three decades of his life.
Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain, especially in children.
It also represents the most prominent surgical emergency, as it must be assumed that any patient complains of abdominal pain,
It must also be diagnosed and treated quickly, as the chance of the appendix bursting increases with time.
The chance of developing appendicitis is about 12% in males, but it doubles to reach about 25% in females.
A person may develop appendicitis during different ages, but most cases occur between ten and nineteen years of age.
Symptoms of appendicitis in children
The signs and symptoms resulting from appendicitis in children are numerous, and they may differ from case to case.
There is no clinical stereotype caused by appendicitis.
Among the common symptoms and signs that may indicate appendicitis in children, we mention the following:
1- Severe pain in the abdomen:
And the location of the pain may vary, as the patient may feel it around the navel, or above the stomach,
And in the middle of the abdomen, and the pain moves to the lower right part of the abdomen,
After a few hours of feeling the initial pain,
And this pain gets worse when coughing or making a move.
It should be noted that the anatomical location of the appendix may differ from one person to another.
This results in a different site where the pain is felt according to the location of the appendix.
If the appendix is located behind the cecum, the patient may feel pain when it is inflamed in the back or flank.
As for the pelvic appendix, it causes pain in the suprapubic area.
2- Digestive symptoms:
Such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite (Anorexia),
Often these symptoms appear after feeling abdominal pain.
3- Burning urine:
In addition to noticing hematuria in urine; This is due to the proximity of the appendix to the urinary tract.
4- High body temperature:
With appendicitis, the body temperature may rise slightly, that is, between 37.7-38.3 ° C.
5- Painful pressure:
The affected person may feel pain when pressing on the lower right part of the abdomen, specifically at McBurney’s point,
These signs are among the most likely signs of appendicitis.
Pain can also be felt in the lower right part of the abdomen when pressing on the lower left part.
This is called Rovsing’s sign.
6- Psoas sign
This sign is represented by an increase in pain in the lower right part of the abdomen.
While the patient is lying on his left side when the doctor extends the patient’s right leg from the pelvic area.
7- Obturator sign:
This sign is the increase in pain caused by appendicitis in the lower right part of the abdomen when the doctor bends the patient’s thigh and turns it towards the body.
The other symptoms of the appendix are non-diagnostic symptoms
Appendicitis is associated with a group of other symptoms than those mentioned previously, including the following:
First: other symptoms of appendicitis: These include:
- Anorexia.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea.
- Inability to pass gas.
- Have a low-grade fever.
- Flatulence
- Feeling that a bowel movement will ease the discomfort that a person experiences as a result of this infection.
Second, abdominal pain:
It is considered the most common symptom of appendicitis, and the following are the most prominent characteristics of this pain:
- pain begins near the navel and then moves to the lower abdomen and to the right side of it.
- The pain gets worse within hours.
- The pain gets worse when you move, cough, sneeze, or take a deep breath.
- The patient describes this type of pain as severe and different from other types of pain.
- The pain occurs suddenly and may wake a person from sleep.
- The pain occurs at first, with other symptoms preceding it.
Causes of appendicitis in children
Appendicitis occurs as a result of blockage of its cavity,
This may arise from many different reasons, such as:
- Hyperplasia of the lymphocytes (lymphoid hyperplasia)
- A fecal pebble (Fecalith) has collected inside,
The blockage may also result from the presence of an external body in the appendix, or from the presence of worms in it,
The blockage of the appendix causes an increase in pressure inside its lumen.
It also continues to secrete mucous fluid, which leads to its swelling and worsening of the condition.
To include interruption of blood supply to the appendix, and bacterial overgrowth within it,
This, in turn, worsens the affected person’s condition and increases the severity of symptoms, which may ultimately lead to perforation of the appendix.
Treatment of appendicitis in children
The treatment of appendicitis includes several methods, but the main treatment is to remove them surgically.
Whether through open appendectomy,
Or through laparoscopic appendectomy,
Laparoscopic surgery is the most appropriate option for treating appendicitis if its equipment is available.
This is due to the speed of recovery after the procedure, and the lower risk of infection,
Before the surgery, the doctor gives the injured person some types of antibiotics through the vein, such as
Third-generation cephalosporins medicines for one time if the appendix has not perforated,
As for the appendix perforation, antibiotics should be continued until the patient’s condition stabilizes.
Among the types of antibiotics used in this case:
1- Carbapenem
2- Piperacillin with tazobactam (Piperacillin-tazobactam)
3- Ampicillin with sulbactam (Ampicillin-sulbactam).
In addition to the prescription of some types of pain relievers.
İmportant notice:
The content of the submitted articles, including all text, graphics, images, and other materials, is provided for educational purposes only.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice or professional diagnosis.
Moreover, the information on this website should not be taken as final medical advice in relation to any case or individual situation.
We strongly recommend that you always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health service provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition, your general health, or the health of your child.
References
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