Neonatal appendicitis: ischemic infarction in incarcerated inguinal hernia

A premature 12-day-old infant with ischemic infarction of the appendix due to hernial incarceration is presented. Literature review (1901-1975) of 106 cases of acute appendicitis in the first 30 days of life permitted tabulation of some clinical aspects in 94 cases. Overt manifestations mandating surgical intervention and isolation of the inflammatory process in the inguinoscrotal region are important factors responsible for the significantly better prognosis for neonatal hernial versus intraabdominal appendicitis.