The neutrophil count in childhood acute appendicitis

A study was made of the total leucocyte count, neutrophil percentage and absolute neutrophil count in 100 consecutive children with acute appendicitis and in 25 children from whom, following a provisional diagnosis of acute appendicitis, a normal appendix had been removed, no other infective or inflammatory lesion having been found. In the first group there was a raised total leucocyte count in 42 per cent, a raised neutrophil percentage in 93 per cent and a raised absolute neutrophil count in 77 per cent. In the second group the corresponding figures were 4, 24 and 16 per cent. Acute appendicitis is associated with changes in the total leucocyte and neutrophil counts and a correct interpretation of the results of these investigations requires that account be taken of the age of each child. A probable maximum absolute neutrophil count has been calculated. An explanation has been suggested for the presence of normal total leucocyte counts in certain cases in spite of acute appendicitis.