Neonatal appendiceal perforation and Hirschsprung's disease

The case of a boy infant with neonatal appendiceal perforation who presented at 9 years of age with Hirschsprung's disease is reported. A retrospective review of the microscopic sections of the appendix demonstrated periappendicitis without transmural inflammation. The importance of differentiating between true appendicitis and periappendicitis in a neonate with appendiceal perforation is stressed, in order to avoid a missed diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease.