Appendicitis In Children

Looking for information on appendicitis in children? Knowing the symptoms of appendicitis in children is very important because this is a medical condition that requires children be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. The appendix, which is located in the lower right abdomen, has an opening that connects the appendix to the large intestine. If that opening gets blocked, inflammation occurs, which causes appendicitis. Unfortunately, when that opening gets blocked, the inflammation could turn into a bacterial infection, which can cause extreme pain and the appendix to burst, which leads to further medical problems due to the infection spreading to other organs within the abdomen.

As a parent, if you notice that your child is experiencing any symptoms that are related to appendicitis, you should contact your doctor immediately or bring your child to the nearest emergency room. The most common symptom that is associated with appendicitis in children is abdominal pain that is occurring in the lower right abdomen and possibly near the bellybutton. Other appendicitis related symptoms include loss of appetite, a low grade fever, the urge to urinate quite often, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and a bloated or swollen abdomen. You should not give your child any food, water, or pain medication if you believe that he or she is suffering from a case of appendicitis.

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent appendicitis in children. However, thanks in part to modern medicine, appendicitis in children can generally be treated without any complications. To ensure that your child's appendix does not burst, it is very important that you become aware of the symptoms and contact a doctor no more than 72 hours after the symptoms first appeared. Upon bringing your child to a doctor, he or she will run several diagnostic tests, such as CAT scans, x-rays, and/or blood and urine tests to determine if your child is suffering from appendicitis. If appendicitis is the diagnosis, an appendectomy will have to be performed, which involves a surgeon removing the appendix through a small incision in the abdomen.