title: Appendicitis in children less than 5 years old: influence of age on presentation and outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Appendicitis is the most common emergency surgical condition of the abdomen in children. This study sought to delineate the presentation and the outcome of appendicitis in children younger than 5 years old.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted of all children younger than 5 years of age who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis over a 12-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One thousand eight hundred thirty-six patients younger than 19 years of age underwent appendectomy. Two hundred eighty-one children with an age range of 6 months to 4.9 years were included in this study. Perforation rates were higher in the younger patients (86% <1 year, 74% 1-1.9 years, 60% 2-2.9 years, 64% 3-3.9 years, and 49% 4-4.9 years), but the youngest children had fewer postoperative abscesses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In children less than 5 years old with appendicitis, age has a direct correlation to the stage of disease. The youngest children present with more advanced appendicitis but are less likely to develop postoperative abscesses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, B323, Children's Hospital Colorado, 13123 East 16th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: Samiksha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Gregory T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Banever
authors.forename: Frederick M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Karrer
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Partrick
mesh_terms: D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000367:Age Factors; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome