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Appendicitis in south eastern Nigerian children
A E Archibong1, I Ekanem, P Jibrin
1Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
The Central African Journal of Medicine
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency in children, ranking second in abdominal emergencies. Despite delayed treatment, outcomes were favorable, possibly due to self-medication.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute appendicitis is a frequent cause of acute abdominal emergencies in children.
- Appendicitis incidence varies by age, being rare in children under three years old.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical presentation and outcomes of acute appendicitis in children.
- To investigate demographic patterns and potential etiological factors in pediatric appendicitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 169 pediatric acute appendicitis cases treated between 1982 and 1991.
- Analysis of patient demographics, age distribution, surgical outcomes, and complications.
Main Results:
- Appendicitis was the second most common acute abdominal emergency in children.
- Adolescents aged 13-15 years constituted the majority of appendicectomy cases (59%).
- A female preponderance (1:1.6 male:female ratio) was observed, contrasting with other reports. Parasitic infestation (Ascaris lumbricoides) was noted in 3% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Favorable outcomes, including low rates of mortality and severe complications (8% for gangrene/perforation), were achieved despite delayed surgical intervention.
- Self-medication with antimicrobials prior to hospital admission may have contributed to the positive outcomes.