Causes of appendicitis-pain pain in childrenImage Credit Source: Getty Images
Appendicitis in Children: If your child repeatedly complains of stomach pain, then it can be a sign of a disease (appendicitis), not common gas or indigestion. Yes, appendicitis can become a serious disease of children, not just elders. If the symptoms are not identified in time, then it can also be fatal. Let us know what are the symptoms of appendicitis in children, what are the reasons for this and what is its treatment- so that you can take the right steps in time and keep your child safe.
Dr. Shandeep Kumar Sinha, Director, Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology at Medanta Hospital, said that appendicitis can occur at any age, even in very young children. Especially in children older than 5 years, its cases are seen more, but this disease can also occur in children from 1 to 3 years. The appendix is a small bag like a small bag, which is connected to our large intestine. When it causes swelling due to some reason, such as stool accumulation, infection is called appendicitis. Symptoms like severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and lack of desire to eat are seen.
What are the symptoms of appendix
Dr. Sinha says– The biggest problem among young children is that they cannot tell their symptoms properly. Many times the child just becomes irritable, refuses to eat food or his stomach feels bloated. This is the reason that this disease is identified late in children and treatment is delayed. In children younger than 5 years, the appendix can explode within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, which can make the situation serious.
How to rescue
Many people believe that appendicitis occurs only in older children or adults, but the reality is that this problem can happen even in young children. Keep some situations written below in mind and take action accordingly.
- If the child complains of frequent pain in the lower right part of the stomach, fever, vomiting or persistent tired, then a doctor should be seen immediately. If not treated on time, the burst of appendix can cause severe infections (peritonitis) inside the stomach, which can be fatal.
- Doctors usually detect appendicitis through imaging tests such as physical examination, blood tests and ultrasound. CT scan is rarely done in young children because it poses a risk of radiation. The most important is a clinical test by an experienced pediatric surgeon.
- Talking about treatment, if the appendix is not torn, then in some cases treatment is possible only with antibiotics. But in most cases, surgery is required, in which the swollen appendix is removed.
- After surgery, most children recover quickly and can return home in a few days. But if the appendix is torn, then they may have to be hospitalized for a long time and IV antibiotics are given.
Dr. Raman Kumar’s, Chairman of Academy of Family Physicians of India Told that- “Time is very important in the cases of appendicitis,” if the child complains of abdominal pain, especially in the lower right part of the stomach then do not take it lightly. In time, the child can be protected from serious problems by correct investigation and treatment. Remember, appendicitis can be a medical emergency. Prevention of timely treatment is possible.