Children are more likely to develop appendicitis than adults. In fact, it is the most common abdominal emergency in people younger than 18, according to Healthline. Unlike adults, the symptoms of appendicitis in children vary by age. Often, they are unrecognized and lead to a severe, even fatal, infection known as peritonitis. Therefore, it is important that any child suspected of having appendicitis be examined by a physician immediately.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain will start near the belly button and then move down and to the right. The child might also have "rebound pain," which is felt when pressure is suddenly removed from the lower right area of the abdomen, according to Johns Hopkins Children Center.
Significance
Approximately 4 of every 1,000 children will develop appendicitis. The most common groups to develop appendicitis are males ages 10 to 14 and females ages 15 to 19, according to Healthline.
Symptoms Vary With Age
According to Healthline, symptoms of appendicitis for children younger than 2 are vomiting and a swollen abdomen. In contrast, toddlers may show a lack of appetite and fatigue.
Misconceptions
Loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea--despite being common symptoms of appendicitis for adults--are not usual symptoms of appendicitis in children.
Warning
Children younger than 4 have the greatest risk of rupture because they generally do not show the classic signs of appendicitis (vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain). Almost 8 out of 10 cases rupture because a diagnosis was not made in time.
Risk Factors
Children with cystic fibrosis have a great risk of developing appendicitis. There is also some speculation that genetics has some role, which means that if a parent has had appendicitis, the children are more susceptible to developing it.
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