Low Plasma Sodium Concentration as a Predictor of Perforated Acute Appendicitis in Children: A Retrospective Study in...

Low plasma sodium concentration (p-Na) can predict perforation in children with acute appendicitis (AA) in middle-high income settings (MHIS), with important implications for clinical decision-making. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate if low p-Na can be used to predict perforation in a low-middle income setting (LMIS).

Paediatric patients (1-16 years of age) operated for suspected AA at Red Cross Children's Hospital, Cape Town, from January 2019 until December 2020, were included. P-Na, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), as well as common patient characteristics, were noted. AA disease severity diagnosis was based on the surgeon's report. Predictors of perforation were investigated by Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and univariate logistic regression followed by step-wise forward multivariable logistic regression analysis.

299 patients were included (mean age: 9.3 years, range: 2-16). The proportion of perforation was 156/259 (60 %). P-Na dichotomised at 133 mmol/L resulted in the best sensitivity and specificity with an odds ratio for perforation of 3.27 (95 % CI 1.97-5.39) (p < 0.0001). From the multivariate logistic regression, p-Na, CRP, and body temperature taken together showed an area under curve of 0.74 (95 % CI 0.66-0.79).

In a LMIS, with a high incidence of perforated AA, p-Na on hospital admission was found to provide prognostic information with regards to prediction of perforation (odds ratio >3), although the association was weaker than in previous research. Therefore, P-Na should be used together with CRP and body temperature to provide the best possible prediction.