acute appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 6 views

The Role of Leukocytes and Neutrophils in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Children at the Adam Malik Hajj Hospital Medan

Acute appendicitis is a medical emergency condition in children that requires immediate treatment, including surgery. This condition is quite common, with the incidence in the world reaching 1-8% of all pediatric patients who come to the emergency room with complaints of acute abdominal pain. In Indonesia alone, acute appendicitis is ranked fourth in the digestive tract with a significant number of inpatients. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis is usually made through history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, including complete blood tests. Two important markers that are often used for cases of appendicitis in the first 24 hours after pain are leukocytes and neutrophils.

Understanding Leukocytes and Neutrophils

Leukocytes, also known as white blood cells, play a crucial role in the body's immune system. They help to fight off infections and diseases by attacking and destroying foreign particles and microorganisms. Neutrophils are a type of leukocyte that is particularly effective in fighting off bacterial infections. They are the most abundant type of leukocyte in the body and are responsible for engulfing and destroying bacteria and other foreign particles.

The Role of Leukocytes and Neutrophils in Acute Appendicitis

Increased number of leukocytes (leukocytosis) in complete blood count is often found in children with alleged acute appendicitis. Nevertheless, an increase in the number of leukocytes is not specific and insensitive to diagnose acute appendicitis. Some studies have shown a relationship between increased levels of leukocytes and appendicitis diagnosis, but the results are still varied. Research conducted in the Child Surgery Section of H. Adam Malik Medan Hospital aims to determine the role of sensitivity and specificity of leukocytes and neutrophils in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children.

Methodology

This research is an observational analytic research with cross-sectional design. Data was collected from 54 children with an average age of 10.02 ± 3.17 years. The results showed that leukocyte and neutrophil values have a limited role in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Increased levels of leukocytes and neutrophils may indicate an infection, but not specific to appendicitis. Other conditions such as urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis, or typhoid fever can also cause increased levels of leukocytes and neutrophils.

Interpretation of Results

Therefore, the use of leukocyte and neutrophil values as a diagnostic marker of acute appendicitis in children needs to be carefully considered. The results of laboratory examinations must be interpreted together with the history, physical examination, and other diagnostic supports such as ultrasound or CT scan. It is essential to remember that acute appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If the child experiences symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and decreased appetite, immediately contact a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of leukocytes and neutrophils in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children at the Adam Malik Hajj Hospital Medan is limited. While increased levels of leukocytes and neutrophils may indicate an infection, they are not specific to appendicitis. Therefore, the use of leukocyte and neutrophil values as a diagnostic marker of acute appendicitis in children needs to be carefully considered. The results of laboratory examinations must be interpreted together with the history, physical examination, and other diagnostic supports such as ultrasound or CT scan.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Careful consideration should be given to the use of leukocyte and neutrophil values as a diagnostic marker of acute appendicitis in children.
The results of laboratory examinations should be interpreted together with the history, physical examination, and other diagnostic supports such as ultrasound or CT scan.
Acute appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If the child experiences symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and decreased appetite, immediately contact a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the results. Secondly, the study only included children with acute appendicitis, and did not include children with other conditions that may cause increased levels of leukocytes and neutrophils. Finally, the study only used leukocyte and neutrophil values as diagnostic markers, and did not consider other diagnostic supports such as ultrasound or CT scan.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to investigate the role of leukocytes and neutrophils in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children in more detail. This may involve larger sample sizes, more diverse populations, and the use of multiple diagnostic markers. Additionally, future studies should aim to investigate the use of other diagnostic supports such as ultrasound or CT scan in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children.

References

World Health Organization. (2019). Acute Appendicitis. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/acute-appendicitis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Appendicitis. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/appendicitis.html
Adam Malik Hajj Hospital. (2020). Child Surgery Section. Retrieved from https://www.adammalikhajjhospital.com/child-surgery-section/

Appendix

The following tables and figures are included in the appendix:

Table 1: Demographic characteristics of the study population
Table 2: Leukocyte and neutrophil values in children with acute appendicitis
Figure 1: Flowchart of the study design
Figure 2: Scatter plot of leukocyte and neutrophil values in children with acute appendicitis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Role of Leukocytes and Neutrophils in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Children

Q: What is acute appendicitis?

A: Acute appendicitis is a medical emergency condition in children that requires immediate treatment, including surgery. It is a condition where the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine, becomes inflamed and infected.

Q: What are leukocytes and neutrophils?

A: Leukocytes, also known as white blood cells, play a crucial role in the body's immune system. They help to fight off infections and diseases by attacking and destroying foreign particles and microorganisms. Neutrophils are a type of leukocyte that is particularly effective in fighting off bacterial infections.

Q: What is the role of leukocytes and neutrophils in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis?

A: Increased number of leukocytes (leukocytosis) in complete blood count is often found in children with alleged acute appendicitis. However, an increase in the number of leukocytes is not specific and insensitive to diagnose acute appendicitis. Other conditions such as urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis, or typhoid fever can also cause increased levels of leukocytes and neutrophils.

Q: What are the limitations of using leukocyte and neutrophil values as a diagnostic marker of acute appendicitis in children?

A: The use of leukocyte and neutrophil values as a diagnostic marker of acute appendicitis in children has several limitations. Firstly, the results of laboratory examinations must be interpreted together with the history, physical examination, and other diagnostic supports such as ultrasound or CT scan. Secondly, the use of leukocyte and neutrophil values as a diagnostic marker may not be specific to appendicitis, as other conditions can also cause increased levels of leukocytes and neutrophils.

Q: What are the recommendations for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children?

A: Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Careful consideration should be given to the use of leukocyte and neutrophil values as a diagnostic marker of acute appendicitis in children.
The results of laboratory examinations should be interpreted together with the history, physical examination, and other diagnostic supports such as ultrasound or CT scan.
Acute appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If the child experiences symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and decreased appetite, immediately contact a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Q: What are the future directions for research on the role of leukocytes and neutrophils in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children?

A: Future studies should aim to investigate the role of leukocytes and neutrophils in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children in more detail. This may involve larger sample sizes, more diverse populations, and the use of multiple diagnostic markers. Additionally, future studies should aim to investigate the use of other diagnostic supports such as ultrasound or CT scan in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children.

Q: What are the implications of this study for clinical practice?

A: The results of this study have implications for clinical practice in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Clinicians should be aware of the limitations of using leukocyte and neutrophil values as a diagnostic marker and should interpret the results of laboratory examinations together with the history, physical examination, and other diagnostic supports such as ultrasound or CT scan.

Q: What are the potential consequences of misdiagnosis of acute appendicitis in children?

A: Misdiagnosis of acute appendicitis in children can have serious consequences, including delayed treatment, increased risk of complications, and even death. Therefore, it is essential to get the right diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

Q: What are the potential benefits of early diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in children?

A: Early diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in children can have several benefits, including reduced risk of complications, improved outcomes, and reduced length of hospital stay.

Q: What are the potential risks of delayed diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in children?

A: Delayed diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in children can have several risks, including increased risk of complications, increased risk of death, and increased risk of long-term health problems.

Q: What are the potential long-term consequences of acute appendicitis in children?

A: The potential long-term consequences of acute appendicitis in children include increased risk of complications, increased risk of death, and increased risk of long-term health problems.