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Parasitic infestation in pediatric and adolescent appendicitis: a local experience

Ossama M Zakaria1, Hazem M Zakaria, Mohamed Yasser Daoud

  • 1Division of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom Saudi Arabia.

Oman Medical Journal
|April 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Parasitic infestation is uncommon in pediatric appendicitis, found in only 5.5% of cases. This study found no significant link between parasites and appendicitis severity in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The role of parasitic infections in acute appendicitis is debated.
  • Investigating parasitic infestation as a cause of pediatric appendicitis is crucial for understanding disease etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and impact of parasitic infestation on acute appendicitis in pediatric patients.
  • To analyze the association between parasitic presence and the severity of appendicitis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1600 pediatric patients undergoing appendectomy from 2001-2010.
  • Data collection included demographics, clinical presentation, operative findings, and pathological examination for parasites.
  • Patients were categorized into groups with and without parasitic infestation.

Main Results:

  • Parasites were identified in 5.5% of appendectomy specimens.
  • Enterobiasis (51.1%) was the most common parasite, followed by Ascariasis (26.1%).
  • No statistically significant difference in suppurative, gangrenous, or perforated appendicitis was observed between groups.

Conclusions:

  • The low prevalence of parasites does not support them as a primary cause of appendicitis in children.
  • Parasitic infestation appears to have minimal impact on the clinical presentation and severity of pediatric appendicitis.
Abstract

Keywords:
Al-AhsaAppendicitisEnterobiasisParasitic infestation

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