Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation
11:19

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation

Published on: January 17, 2011

18.7K

Pediatric Appendicitis: Association of Chief Complaint With Missed Appendicitis

Zachary Drapkin1,2, Jennifer Dunnick3, Troy E Madsen2

  • 1From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics.

Pediatric Emergency Care
|January 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Nonspecific chief complaints at emergency department triage increase the risk of missed appendicitis diagnoses in children. A chief complaint suggestive of appendicitis reduces this diagnostic error.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Diagnostic Accuracy
  • Surgical Outcomes

Background:

  • Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency in children.
  • Timely diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications.
  • Emergency department (ED) triage chief complaints may influence diagnostic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between ED triage chief complaints and the rate of missed appendicitis in pediatric patients.
  • To determine if chief complaint type impacts the likelihood of delayed appendicitis diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients diagnosed with appendicitis over a 5-year period.
  • Analysis of ED chief complaints, classifying them as 'suggestive of appendicitis' or 'nonspecific'.
  • Evaluation of missed appendicitis diagnoses based on initial vs. subsequent ED visits within 7 days.

Main Results:

  • 1680 patients with appendicitis were reviewed; 4% had prior ED visits within a week.
  • Patients with nonspecific chief complaints had a higher rate of missed appendicitis (8.8%) compared to those with suggestive complaints (3.8%).
  • No significant differences in age, sex, white blood cell count, or fever were found between initially diagnosed and multiply visited patients.

Conclusions:

  • A chief complaint less suggestive of appendicitis is linked to a higher incidence of missed diagnoses in pediatric EDs.
  • Findings suggest that the initial chief complaint may contribute to anchoring bias, impacting appendicitis diagnosis.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering appendicitis even with nonspecific presenting complaints.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Evaluating the Effects of Different Polishing Methods on Color Stability of Dental Restorations in Pediatric Dentistry03:37

Evaluating the Effects of Different Polishing Methods on Color Stability of Dental Restorations in Pediatric Dentistry

Published on: June 6, 2025

475
A Pathway Association Study Tool for GWAS Analyses of Metabolic Pathway Information05:01

A Pathway Association Study Tool for GWAS Analyses of Metabolic Pathway Information

Published on: July 1, 2020

3.8K

Related Concept Videos

Appendicitis-I: Introduction01:22

Appendicitis-I: Introduction

The appendix, a small, narrow, blind tube extending from the inferior part of the cecum, is widely regarded as a vestigial organ, having lost much of its original function through evolution. Despite its diminished role, the appendix can become inflamed, a condition known as appendicitis.
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
2.7K
Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:29

Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Diagnosing and managing appendicitis requires a structured and comprehensive approach that spans from initial assessment to postoperative care. Here is an overview of the process:
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
604
Associative Learning01:27

Associative Learning

Associative learning is a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology, wherein a connection is established between two stimuli or events, leading to a learned response. This process is critical in understanding how behaviors are acquired and modified. Conditioning, the mechanism through which associations are formed, can be divided into two main types: classical conditioning and operant conditioning, each elucidating different aspects of associative learning.
Classical conditioning, also known...
1.5K
Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
9.6K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
281
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS01:11

Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS

Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
15.8K