Acute appendicitis is rare in neonates and infants but can occur. The main hazard is a delay in diagnosis due to its infrequency
Presentation:
(1) abdominal distention with peritonitis
(2) in the inguinal canal (Amyand's hernia)
(3) small bowel obstruction
It may be more common in premature infants.
Ultrasonography may be helpful but needs to include the region of the appendix.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) necrotizing enterocolitis
(2) viral or bacterial gastroenteritis
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Specialty: Gastroenterology, Pedatrics, Surgery, general
