Appendicitis in the first year of life: a rare but predictable cause of intraperitoneal pus in infants.
Appendicitis is the most common antecedent to peritonitis throughout life. Although quite uncommon during the first year of life, appendicitis is a recognizable entity, and beyond the neonatal period, remains the most common cause of peritoneal suppuration. The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne has experienced three cases of appendicitis in the first year of life since 1970. Clinical features helpful in diagnosis are presented, and management guidelines are discussed. When pus is suspected or found in an infant's abdomen, the general surgeon would be wise to presume the cause is appendicitis, despite its rarity.
McMullin
N D
ND
Department of Surgery, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria.
Hutson
J M
JM
D000208:Acute Disease; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery