Beware of neonatal appendicitis

Abstract

We report a neonate with acute appendicitis who was mistakenly diagnosed and treated initially as neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. The diagnostic dilemma of this rare and life-threatening condition in premature babies and newborns is underlined. Awareness of this rare condition and possible differential diagnosis in this age group is also discussed.

Keywords

• Appendicitis
• neonate
• necrotizing enterocolitis
• peritonitis