Signs of appendicitis in children

Appendicitis refers to the acute inflammation of the appendix of a special vermiform appendix in the cecum. This disease is very dangerous and requires immediate surgery. One of the most common complications of appendicitis peritonitis often leads to the patient's death. Having found out the typical signs of appendicitis in children, immediately call for an ambulance and wait for the doctor to arrive. Before the advent of the ambulance team, do not give the child any pain medications, or water or food. This can cause additional complications, as well as prevent the doctor from correctly diagnosing.

The signs of appendicitis in children differ from the signs of appendicitis in adults. Inflammation of the appendix in children is more difficult, and diagnosis is much more difficult. In children under three years, this disease is rare, but at this age the child can not clearly identify the localization of pain, which seriously complicates the diagnosis. In children, appendicitis proceeds more quickly, causing dangerous complications. If your little baby is crying, trying to occupy a fixed position on the right side, presses your knees to your stomach, does not let you touch the painful place, call the doctor immediately. Very often, this behavior of the baby indicates a serious illness.

How to understand that your child has acute appendicitis? Symptoms in children are fairly well expressed: they complain of aching pain in the right lower abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and body temperature. As a rule, first the pain is felt in the navel, then it goes to the whole abdomen as a whole, and only after a few hours it moves to the right lower part - the location of the appendix. Sometimes this pain suddenly stops, however, this case should not be prematurely rejoiced. The cessation of pain may be due to the rupture of the inflamed bowel wall.

Not always the above signs indicate appendicitis in children. Symptoms of diseases such as hepatitis, pneumonia, enterocolitis, as well as symptoms of diseases of the genitourinary system or the appearance of an intestinal infection may coincide with signs of appendicitis. The doctor will be able to determine the exact diagnosis only after the examination in the hospital.

What if you notice similar signs of appendicitis in children?

First, do not hesitate, call an ambulance.

Secondly, put the child in bed, attach a bubble to the right side with ice. In no case should you apply a warm water bottle to the baby's stomach, it can cause additional complications, lead to rupture of the appendix and the development of peritonitis.

Thirdly, do not let the baby eat and drink, do not try to remove his pain with any medications. Especially dangerous for appendicitis are laxatives, which provoke the rupture of the inflamed process.

If you noticed signs of appendicitis in children have been confirmed, the child is waiting for immediate hospitalization. The patient is removed the inflamed appendix, as a rule, under local anesthesia. If there is no rupture of the appendix, a small incision is made on the right side, the duration of the entire operation is about 40 minutes. After the appendix is removed, sutures are placed on the wound.

In some hospitals, doctors use the method of endoscopic removal of the appendix. In this case, the skin is not cut, but only pierce it in several places. This method allows the patient to recover in the shortest time after surgery.

If the child does not experience complications, he can return to the usual way of life one week after such a surgical intervention. In 10-11 days after the operation, the doctors will remove the stitches. It passes easily and painlessly even in young children. Within two months after removal of appendicitis, the child should be treated without any physical exertion.