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Appendix Pain Symptoms in Children

Appendicitis is a medical condition that is often exemplified by the inflammation of the vermiform appendix in the human body. The appendix is a vestigial organ in humans, and its inflammation causes extreme pain; hence, appendicitis is often termed a medical emergency. This type of condition is mostly prevalent in children, though adults do get it. The only treatment is the removal of the vermiform appendix through surgery.

  1. Causes of Appendicitis in Children

    • Obstruction and hindrance near the lumen of the appendix is one of the major causes of inflammation of the appendix.
      Various organisms such as intestinal worms and bacteria also cause appendicitis mostly in children, and this phenomenon is more common in developing countries than in developed ones.

    Symptoms of Appendicitis

    • Symptoms of appendicitis can be broadly classified and divided into two categories: typical and atypical.

    Symptoms of Typical Appendicitis

    • A major symptom of typical appendicitis is pain, generally in the lower part of the abdomen on the right side. This pain mainly occurs because of poor positioning of the visceral nerves near the mid gut.
      Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, high fever, nausea and vomiting, and drowsiness.

    Symptoms of Atypical Appendicitis

    • Symptoms of atypical appendicitis generally include diarrhea, excessive urination and a condition known as downward urge, which is a medical condition related to the bowel movements that might also be experienced along with pain in the lower part of the right side of the abdomen.

    Symptoms of Appendicitis in Special Cases

    • Other characteristic symptoms associated with appendicitis mostly in children are
      Rovsing's sign/symptom, pain in the lower part of the abdomen; psoas sign/symptom, pain near the right hip area; and obturator sign/symptom, spasm of the muscles near the hip.

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