Too Young to Suspect, Too Critical to Miss: A Rare Case of Infantile Appendicitis

Infantile appendicitis is exceptionally rare and difficult to diagnose because of its non-specific presentation. We report the case of a two-month-old male infant presenting with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distention, and signs of generalized peritonitis. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed diffuse purulent peritonitis, a gangrenous perforated appendix, and an intraperitoneal fecalith. Laparoscopic appendectomy and peritoneal lavage were successfully performed without conversion to open surgery. The postoperative course was uneventful. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of appendicitis in early infancy and demonstrates the feasibility of minimally invasive management even in critically ill young infants.