An Experience with 31 Cases of Neonatal Appendicitis: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Neonatal appendicitis (NA) is rarely diagnosed due to lack of specific symptoms and signs. The aim of this study is to share our experience with NA. Methods: We performed a retrospective data review from electronic medical records of patients admitted at Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (CHCMU) with the clinical diagnosis of NA from October 2001 to July 2018. Results: Of 31 neonates, male neonates (n=20) accounted for 64.5%. Abdominal distension and anorexia were the most common clinical features (61.3%, n=19). Neonates with elevated C- reactive protein (CRP) accounted for 92.6% (n=25) where as 51.6% (n=16) had normal white blood cell count (WBC). Of 29 neonates who underwent surgery, 69% (n=20) had perforated appendicitis. Conclusion: Neonatal appendicitis lacks specific clinical features, and early diagnosis is difficult. Clinicians need to have high index of suspicion when attending neonates with features of abdominal sepsis.

Keywords

• Acute appendicitis
• Neonatal appendicitis
• Necrotizing enterocolitis