Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, which is the worm-shaped pouch attached to the cecum, the beginning of the large intestine. The appendix has no known function in the body, but it can become diseased. Appendicitis is a medical emergency, and if it is left untreated the appendix may rupture and cause a potentially fatal infection.
More hospitalizations, higher charges, for kids with high blood pressure – Hospitalizations for children with high blood pressure and related charges dramatically increased during 10 years ending in 2006, according to a study published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension. This nationally-based study is the first in which researchers examined hypertension hospitalizations in children.
Antibiotics a safe and viable alternative to surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis, say experts — Safety and efficacy of antibiotic therapy with appendicectomy in the treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: Meta-analysis – Giving antibiotics to patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis is a safe and viable alternative to surgery, say experts in a study published in BMJ.
Surgical removal of the tonsils and appendix associated with risk of early heart attack — But because of the young age of participants, the absolute risk differences were small – The surgical removal of the appendix and tonsils before the age of 20 was associated with an increased risk of premature heart attack in a large population study performed in Sweden. Tonsillectomy increased the risk by 44% (hazard ratio 1.44) and appendectomy by 33% (HR 1.33).
Surgery sooner rather than later better for children with perforated appendicitis – For children with a perforated appendix, early appendectomy appears to reduce the time away from normal activities and has fewer adverse events as compared to another common option, the interval appendectomy, which is performed several weeks after diagnosis.
A urine test for appendicitis? Urine marker found though proteomics may indicate which children need surgery. – A protein detectable in urine might serve as a “biomarker” for appendicitis, revealed by researchers at the Proteomics Center at Children’s Hospital Boston.
Air pollution may increase risk of appendicitis; Researchers offer provocative new theory for common cause of surgery. – Could there be a link between high levels of air pollution and the risk of appendicitis? New research presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Orlando, suggests a novel connection.
