Linked Life Data

16736226

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/16736226

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2006-5-31
pubmed:abstractText
The diagnosis of appendicitis in children can be difficult. Misdiagnosis may result in empirical treatment with antibiotics. The aim of this study was to determine whether initial treatment with antibiotics hindered subsequent diagnosis of appendicitis. Retrospective review of 311 children treated for appendicitis between 1999 and 2004. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1: (n = 45) received antibiotics prior to a definitive diagnosis of appendicitis. Group 2: (n = 266) did not receive antibiotics prior to a diagnosis of appendicitis. Group 1 patients were significantly younger and more likely to be female than in group 2. Abdominal tenderness was less marked and there was a greater reliance on radiological investigations in patients receiving antibiotics. C-reactive protein and pre-operative temperature were significantly higher in group 1 patients compared to group 2. The perforation rate and complication rate were significantly greater in group 1. The commonest misdiagnoses were urinary tract infection and respiratory infection. Initial misdiagnosis results in significant delay before appendicectomy. This study shows that the clinical signs of acute appendicitis can be masked by prior treatment with antibiotics. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis must be considered and, if necessary, excluded in all children seen with abdominal pain who have recently been treated with antibiotics.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0179-0358
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
22
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
541-5
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2006
pubmed:articleTitle
Delayed diagnosis of appendicitis in children treated with antibiotics.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Clarendon Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, LS2 9NS, UK. r.england@doctors.org.uk
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article