Laboratory Markers in the Prediction of Acute Perforated Appendicitis in Children

Jing Yang1, Chong Liu2, Yuxia He3

  • 1Emergency Department, Affiliated Renhe Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China.

Insights

Elevated white blood cell count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, along with higher neutrophils percentage and CRP, are key indicators of perforated appendicitis in children. These markers help differentiate between perforated and non-perforated cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency in children.
  • Appendiceal perforation is a significant complication associated with increased morbidity.
  • Identifying reliable markers for perforation is crucial for timely surgical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify laboratory markers predictive of perforation in pediatric acute appendicitis.
  • To compare laboratory findings between perforated and non-perforated appendicitis cases in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1895 children (3-18 years) with acute appendicitis.
  • Collection and comparison of clinical and laboratory data, including white blood cell count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and neutrophils percentage.
  • Logistic regression analysis to determine independent risk factors for perforation.

Main Results:

  • Children with perforated appendicitis showed longer symptom duration, higher white blood cell count, CRP levels, and neutrophils percentage, and lower serum sodium.
  • Elevated white blood cell count with CRP and elevated neutrophils percentage with CRP were significantly associated with perforation risk.

Conclusions:

  • Combined assessment of white blood cell count and CRP is valuable for diagnosing perforated appendicitis in children.
  • Neutrophils percentage combined with CRP levels serves as an important indicator for distinguishing perforated from non-perforated appendicitis.
Abstract

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