Acute appendicitis in infants – A report of two cases

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in children. However, it is uncommon in neonates and infants. Often it can be challenging to diagnose acute appendicitis in children due to atypical clinical presentation and nonspecific symptoms. This is particularly true in neonates and infants. A high level of clinical suspicion is needed to diagnose infantile appendicitis. Delayed diagnosis is associated with higher perforation rates and increased disease-related morbidity. Imaging plays a key role in the prompt diagnosis of acute appendicitis and its complications. We report two cases of perforated appendicitis in babies <6 months old.

Keywords

• appendicular abscess
• infantile appendicitis
• ultrasound