Appendicitis in Children

Appendicitis is inflammation (swelling) and infection of your appendix. The appendix is a small finger-shaped organ attached to your large intestine.

The appendix is an organ that doesn’t have a necessary function. You don't need your appendix to live a healthy life.

• Appendicitis is most common in teens and young adults and rare before the age of 1

• Symptoms include belly pain (usually in the lower right belly), low fever (100 to 101° F [37.7° to 38.3° C]), and throwing up

• It can be hard for doctors to tell if your child has appendicitis or another problem—they'll do blood tests and ultrasound

• Appendicitis is a medical emergency and your child will need surgery

Location of the Appendix

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Appendicitis sometimes happens when the appendix is blocked either by:

• Hard stool (poop)

• Lymph nodes (tiny, bean-shaped organs that help fight off infections) in the intestine that swell because of an infection

Regardless of what's blocking it, the appendix swells and bacteria grow. If it isn't treated, the appendix can break open and cause infection inside your belly (called peritonitis), which can be deadly.

Symptoms include:

• Pain in the middle of the belly that moves to the lower right side

• In babies and children, pain may happen all over the belly

• Throwing up and not wanting to eat

• Low fever of 100 to 101° F (37.7° to 38.3° C)

It can be hard to be sure your child has appendicitis. If doctors think your child has appendicitis, they'll do:

• Blood tests

• Ultrasound

If the ultrasound result isn't clear, doctors may:

• Observe your child and repeat the physical exam, looking for signs that it's getting worse

• Do a CT (computed tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Doctors treat appendicitis by doing surgery to remove the appendix (appendectomy). Untreated appendicitis can be deadly.

The best time to operate is before the appendix bursts. If the appendix has already burst, the doctor:

• Removes the appendix

• Washes out the insides of your child's belly with fluid

• Gives antibiotics for several days

• Watches for problems, such as infection or blocked intestines