Symptoms of appendicitis in a child of 5-10 years. how to

As medical practice shows, the palm among all surgical interventions carried over in childhood belongs to the removal of the appendix. The symptoms of appendicitis in a child depend on the age category and physiological characteristics. Let's talk about it today and talk.

The disease under the gun: a general symptomatic picture of appendicitis

Despite the fact that modern medicine has almost limitless possibilities, inflammation of the appendix of the cecum, which has a worm-shaped form, is treated only by surgical intervention. In early childhood appendicitis is extremely rare. Children in the age category from 9 to 12 years old are at risk.

The symptomatology of this pathology is directly related to the form of its development. Treatment specialists classify appendicitis by the nature of the course of the disease and distinguish two forms of the ailment:

• acute;
• chronic.

Also in medical practice, it is common practice to classify appendicitis in accordance with its anatomical shape and clinical picture. There are such types of pathology:

• catarrhal;
• phlegmonous;
• gangrenous;
• empyema.

Most often in children of different age categories catarrhal appendicitis occurs. With the development of the disease of this form, the walls of the process become inflamed, and inside the fluid accumulates serous type. The remaining forms of pathology are fraught with the development of complicated consequences. In order to protect their baby and prevent the occurrence of complications, parents should know the primary symptoms of appendicitis.

As already mentioned, the clinical picture may differ depending on the age of the baby and its anatomical features. Generally speaking, appendicitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• pain in the lower abdominal segment of a certain localization;
• refusal to eat;
• sleep disturbance;
• raising the temperature threshold to critical levels;
• rapid pulse;
• violation of the process of defecation (diarrhea or constipation);
• abdominal distention;
• gag reflexes;
• violation of the emission of urine.

Appendicitis in children of different age groups, as a rule, appears suddenly, and its symptoms increase exponentially. The baby does not allow to touch his tummy and often takes a forced lying position. Please note: if the baby is lying on the left side and pressing his legs, while you notice the accompanying symptoms, immediately call the ambulance brigade.

Many children interfere with the diagnosis, especially palpation of the abdomen, therefore, it is best to examine the baby during sleep. Often in children with an inflammation of the appendix gag reflex appears. In children under the age of 3 years, there is pain syndrome with the emission of urine.

Parents should also pay attention to all the complaints of the baby. Quite often, the pain syndrome has uncharacteristic localization. The pain of an inflamed appendix can spread to the lumbar spine, groin, epigastrium, and even to the liver.

Characteristic signs of inflammation of the appendix in children of preschool age

As already mentioned, the likelihood of inflammation in the appendix in children of the age category up to 3-4 years is extremely small. This disease affects children over five years old. Parents, kindergarten teachers and teachers should know what are the symptoms of appendicitis in children 5 and 7 years old.

This is very important because an attack can happen at any time of the day: in the garden, at school lessons or while relaxing outside the city. The attending specialists state that timely diagnosis and first aid provided is the key to successful treatment and recovery of the child. Let's take a closer look at the symptoms of appendicitis in children aged 5 and 7 years.

The appearance of pain syndromes

Generally speaking, the attacks of pain can be wandering and often radiating to the iliac right side. To notice such a syndrome, without waiting for the baby's complaints, pay attention to his behavior. Since the attacks of pain may be of a different nature, the baby will involuntarily lie on the right side.

Dyspeptic disorders

Often the development of the inflammatory process in the process of the cecum is accompanied by nausea, urge to gag reflexes, as well as a disorder of the process of defecation. If such phenomena have arisen for no particular reason, consult your healthcare professional.

Temperature rise

As practice shows, the development of any inflammatory process is always accompanied by an elevated temperature threshold. In order not to confuse appendicitis with the usual respiratory or viral pathologies, parents need to pay attention to the clinical picture as a whole, taking into account the accompanying symptoms.

Gait change

If the baby has an inflammation of the appendix, he will try as much as possible to protect his stomach from tremors. In this case, when walking, the child will slightly lean forward and to the right, adhering to the sore area.

If you notice at least two symptoms, urgently need to call an ambulance. Delay in this case is unacceptable, since an inflamed appendix can provoke the development of complicated consequences.

How to recognize appendicitis in children of primary school age?

Symptoms of appendicitis in children 10 years of age have their own characteristics. They are primarily associated with the anatomical structure and form of pathology. In older age, the symptoms of inflammation in the process of the cecum are similar to the signs of appendicitis in adults.

In order to timely provide the child with first aid, parents should know the characteristic symptoms of inflammation of the appendix:

• the child complains of dryness of the mucous coating in the mouth and thirst;
• the temperature rises to the level of 37.5-38 °, as a result of which the child suffers from chills;
• the child has nausea and urge to gag reflex, and vomiting can be paroxysmal or one-time in nature;
• the child complains of pain sensation in the lower abdomen.

As a rule, with the development of the inflammatory process in the appendix at this age, the child does not experience a disorder of the natural defecation process.

First aid basics: Note to parents

So, if you find some symptoms in your offspring that indicate an inflammation of the appendix, the following measures should be taken before the arrival of the Ambulance Medical Team:

1. Baby should be laid on a flat surface.
2. Apply a wet cloth cut or towel to the site of pain.
3. In no case can not put a heating pad or put an enema, because it can provoke a rupture of the walls of the inflamed appendix.
4. Parents should remember when the baby took their last food and measure the temperature.
5. It is not necessary to feed the child, also the use of anesthetic pharmacological drugs is prohibited. This may aggravate the situation and delay the implementation of surgery.
6. If a child has a violation of the natural process of defecation, and this, as you remember, is one of the symptoms of inflammation of the appendix, you do not need to take any steps to empty the bowel. Doctors put a taboo on oral laxatives.

After the arrival of the attending specialist, the baby is usually hospitalized. Only after the examination, including ultrasound diagnosis, the doctor makes a decision about the feasibility of surgical intervention. According to statistics, only 7-10% of children admitted to a medical institution with suspected appendicitis, are really diagnosed with such an ailment.

Despite the fact that appendicitis is successfully treated surgically, its timely diagnosis is the key to a speedy recovery and to prevent the development of complicated consequences. If time does not reveal the disease, then the baby may develop sepsis, peritonitis, which is a great threat to him. Health to you and your children!