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Appendicitis in Children

Appendicitis in children is caused by a blockage inside the appendix. In order to diagnose appendicitis in children, doctors usually perform a physical examination, ask for a medical history, and order tests. Tests that are used to diagnose appendicitis in children can include laboratory tests and imaging tests. Treatment for appendicitis in children often requires surgery to remove the appendix.

 

Appendicitis in Children: An Overview

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. Once appendicitis begins, there is no effective medical therapy. Therefore, appendicitis is considered a medical emergency. When appendicitis is treated promptly, most patients recover without difficulty. However, if treatment is delayed, the appendix can burst, causing infection and even death. Although anyone can get appendicitis, it occurs most often in people between the ages of 10 and 30.
 

Understanding the Appendix

The appendix is a small, tube-like structure that is attached to the first part of the large intestine, also called the colon. The appendix is located in the lower-right portion of the abdomen, and it has no known function. Removal of the appendix appears to cause no change in digestive function.
 

Causes of Appendicitis in Children

Appendicitis in children is caused by a blockage of the inside of the appendix, also known as the lumen. Common causes of blockage include:
 
  • Feces
  • Infections that lead to swelling
  • Trauma.
     
(Click Causes of Appendicitis for more information on what causes appendicitis.)
 
(Appendicitis in Children Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD