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The association of body mass index and perforation of the appendix in Puerto Rican children

Carmen T Ramos1, Mariely Nieves-Plaza

  • 1Department of Surgery, Miami Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL 33155, USA. Carmen.ramos@mch.com

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
|May 31, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Young children and those with delayed diagnosis face higher appendiceal perforation risks. This study identifies key factors for pediatric appendicitis complications in Puerto Rico.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The Puerto Rico Department of Health has limited appendicitis data since 1996.
  • Understanding appendicitis perforation risk factors is crucial for improving pediatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors associated with appendiceal perforation in children in Puerto Rico.
  • To address the data gap in pediatric appendicitis outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study analyzing 170 pediatric appendicitis cases from 2002-2008.
  • Investigated risk factors including age, symptom duration, insurance, and hospital type.

Main Results:

  • Appendiceal perforation occurred in 38% of cases.
  • Significant risk factors for perforation included age under five years and symptom onset over 36 hours.
  • Obesity showed a tendency towards perforation (OR: 1.5).

Conclusions:

  • Younger age (under five) and delayed diagnosis (over 36 hours) are strongly associated with appendiceal perforation.
  • Higher body mass index (BMI) for age percentile (>95th) also indicated a tendency for perforation.
Abstract

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