The Uncommon Cases of Baby Appendicitis
If there is one organ in the body which does not have any use to any of the human system, it is the appendix. It is a small and hollow organ which is located at the start of the large intestine. Once bacteria are trapped inside it due to hard stool, it will inflame and requires immediate attention before it bursts and infect other organs inside the human body.
Appendicitis is quite common in the western countries. People with the age of 10 to 30 are the most common victims of the said disease. The good thing about it is that, once a person has undergone the appendectomy, there is no way he can have it again; the appendix will be completely removed during the operation.
On the other hand, babies are also prone to appendicitis especially when genetics is involved. This means that if it runs in your blood stream to have the said infection, more likely your baby can have it too. Although, there have been so rare cases of baby appendicitis, it is possible that your baby can have it anytime.
The worst case scenario is that it is hard for you to diagnose if your baby has it. First, it is because your baby cannot simply tell you that his stomach aches. Unlike grown up children, babies have no other way of communication but cries and laughter. Second, misdiagnosis may tell that your baby may have stomach flu which is accompanied with vomiting, abdominal pains and even high fever. These symptoms will simply complicate your own diagnosis of the disease. Lastly, it will show more like diarrhea which is accompanied with loose bowel movement.
Now, what you have to be mindful of is when your baby reacts wildly when you touch his abdomen, especially the right side, and maybe distended. More often, he may bend over on his right to ease the pain should the muscles irritate the infected and inflamed appendix. These symptoms will also be accompanied by loud cries, unexplained violent actions and sudden lose of appetite.
Should your baby exhibit any of those symptoms, it is very much advisable to contact your doctor the soonest time possible so that your baby will be given treatment necessary to alleviate the pain and operation will be done to save his life. Yes, appendicitis is lethal! It may cause death within 24 hours after the appendix has burst inside the body; the infection will spread if such rupture may happen.
Some of the operations to be done include ultrasound, x-rays and even CAT scan; this is to ensure that your baby may not feel more of the pain while the procedures are done. Also, blood test is necessary to diagnose if urinary tract is also affected.
When surgery is needed, the baby will be given general anesthesia followed by an incision in your baby’s abdomen which is required to remove the appendix or drain the accumulated fluid caused by infection. Antibiotics will also be given to avoid further infection inside and outside the body. If the appendix has burst inside, an IV will be used to deliver antibiotics to the bloodstream to fight off all kinds of possible infections in the system.
To summarize it all, your baby’s life will be in great danger should he develops appendicitis considering the fact that he cannot communicate to you effectively and tell you straight that he is feeling pains in his stomach. Financial matters are also in question here because the operation will require much of financial resources to be done. Lastly, your baby’s future will be a bit obscure when general anesthesia will be given to him; it will destroy his memory at his early age.
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