What Are the Symptoms of Appendicitis in Children
In most cases, appendicitis appears between eight and eleven years of age. Below four years of age, it is a rare but very troublesome case.
The symptoms can be confused with those of other minor problems (gastroenteritis, cold, etc.), and this can lead to a dangerous delay in diagnosis. Most of the time, it can be challenging for children to communicate their discomfort correctly too, and this can be quite problematic. But what are the exact symptoms of appendicitis that should set off the alarm? [6]
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Usually, the first sign is a slight feeling of discomfort in the upper abdomen or around the navel, accompanied by nausea and sometimes vomiting.
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After a few hours, the pain intensifies and tends to be localized in the lower right part of the belly. At the same time, a fever may appear, and a patina may form on the tongue.
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Lack of appetite is also a significant symptom to know if it is appendicitis or normal belly pain. In case of inflammation of the appendix, the child does not feel like eating, playing, or moving. If the little one moves and manages to walk and jump, it will probably be a simple tummy ache.
You should go to the pediatrician in the following cases:
Belly pain is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and fever, or if the pain manifests itself with the typical characteristics of an attack of appendicitis: that is, starting around the navel and then migrating to the lower right part of the abdomen.
In any case, the duration of the pain must be observed: when it occurs uninterruptedly for more than an hour, it is necessary to visit the doctor.
Reference:
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/appendicitis-emergency-symptoms#2
[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/appendicitis-emergency-symptoms#3
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/appendicitis-emergency-symptoms#3
[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/rebound-tenderness
[5] https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-appendicitis#1
[6] https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/appendicitis