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Brief Report: Association of Complicated Appendicitis in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Patrick T Reeves1,2, Apryl Susi3, Elizabeth Hisle-Gorman3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA. patrick.t.reeves.mil@mail.mil.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|April 17, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a higher risk of complicated appendicitis, including perforation and sepsis, particularly in older adolescents. Healthcare providers should maintain heightened awareness for these risks in ASD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Appendicitis is a common pediatric surgical emergency with potential for severe complications.
  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects neurodevelopment and may influence health outcomes.
  • Understanding appendicitis risk in children with ASD is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the risk of appendicitis and its complications in children with ASD compared to neurotypical (NT) children.
  • To identify specific complications and age groups within the ASD population that are at higher risk.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study utilizing data from 2000 to 2013.
  • Inclusion of 292,572 children, with 48,762 diagnosed with ASD.
  • Analysis of appendicitis incidence, perforation, and sepsis rates between ASD and NT groups.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of appendicitis was 8.66 cases per 10,000 person-years in ASD children (P > 0.05).
  • Children with ASD aged 15-17 years showed an increased risk of perforation (OR 2.25; 95% CI 1.15-4.42).
  • An elevated odds of sepsis was observed in ASD children (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.43-8.27).

Conclusions:

  • Children with ASD are not at a higher overall risk for appendicitis.
  • However, ASD children, especially adolescents, have an increased risk for complicated appendicitis, including perforation and sepsis.
  • Healthcare providers need increased vigilance for complicated appendicitis in children with ASD.

Keywords:
AppendicitisAutism spectrum disordersPerforationPeritonitisSepsis

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