[Appendicitis in early childhood].

Between 1982 and 1987 550 appendectomies in children under sixteen years of age were carried out in our surgical department. Only 21 patients were children under 4 years of age, accounting for 4% of all patients. The perforation rate however, was 44% in contrast to 12% in older children. One reason is the more difficult, und therefore often delayed, diagnosis. The mean duration of symptoms of appendicitis in young children was 3.4 days. In the special case of perforated appendicitis the mean duration of symptoms was 132 hours, as compared with 42 hours in children without perforation. Clinical examination is decisive for the diagnosis. Fever and vomiting are non-specific symptoms, but frequently present. Some 81% of the patients had leukocytosis over 15,000. If there are any doubts about the indication for appendectomy, x-ray examination should be carried out as a further useful diagnostic procedure.