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Delayed diagnosis of paediatric appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ori Snapiri1, Chen Rosenberg Danziger1, Irit Krause1,2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics C, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|May 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Fear of COVID-19 led to delayed diagnosis in pediatric appendicitis cases. This resulted in higher complication rates, highlighting the need for timely medical evaluation during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic created widespread fear, potentially impacting healthcare-seeking behaviors for non-COVID-19 related conditions.
  • Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency in children, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications.

Observation:

  • Seven pediatric patients with appendicitis were diagnosed late due to pandemic-related fears.
  • Delayed diagnosis was attributed to parental anxiety, increased telemedicine use, and inadequate initial evaluations.
  • A higher rate of complicated appendicitis was observed during the COVID-19 era compared to the previous year (22% vs. 11%).

Findings:

  • Children presenting with appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced delayed diagnoses.
  • Pandemic-related factors significantly contributed to the delay, leading to more severe appendicitis cases.
  • Complication rates for pediatric appendicitis increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implications:

  • Healthcare providers and caregivers must ensure that essential medical care for pediatric surgical emergencies is not delayed due to pandemic fears.
  • Timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions like appendicitis are crucial, as delays can pose significant health risks comparable to the pandemic itself.
  • Public health messaging should emphasize the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for acute conditions, even during a pandemic.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19appendicitischildrencoronaviruspaediatric

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