Paediatric appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: The repercussions of the pandemic on patients without COVID-19 have been well documented. Although there is evidence that adult patients present later with complicated appendicitis, the impact on the paediatric population is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and management of paediatric appendicitis. Methods: Data from consecutive paediatric patients admitted with right iliac fossa pain to a teaching hospital from 1 March 2020 until 30 June 2020 (COVID-19) were compared with patients admitted from 1 March 2019 until 30 June 2019 (control). Results: One hundred and seventy-two patients were admitted with right iliac fossa pain (control = 97, COVID-19 = 75). Seven patients had a normal diagnostic laparoscopy in the control group compared with none in the COVID-19 group. The proportion of patients diagnosed with appendicitis was significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic (24% vs. 10%, P = 0.03). They presented later (3 days vs. 1 day, P < 0.01) with higher inflammatory markers (white cell count 15.8 vs. 13.2 x 10(9) cells per litre, P = 0.02; C-reactive protein 53 vs. 27 mg/L P = 0.04). The majority of patients underwent surgery within 1 day of admission (94% COVID-19 vs. 70% control, P = 0.13). Although there was a trend towards a greater proportion of complicated appendicitis (22% vs. 10%, P = 0.6) during COVID-19, this did not affect outcomes (no morbidity in both groups, length of hospital stay 4 vs. 2.5 days, P = 0.29). Conclusion: Despite presenting later during COVID-19, paediatric patients with appendicitis were treated expediently with good outcomes.

Automated summary

The study compared pediatric patients admitted with right iliac fossa pain during the COVID-19 pandemic with those admitted in the control period. It found a higher proportion of patients diagnosed with appendicitis during the pandemic, who presented later with higher inflammatory markers. However, despite the increased complexity of appendicitis cases during COVID-19, patient outcomes were not significantly different from those in the control group.