Investigation of Serum Interleukin 6, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and White Blood Cell Levels during the Diagnosis and Treatment of Paediatric Appendicitis Patients Before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Afr J Paediatr Surg
; 20(2): 130-137, 2023.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2261700
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
In this study, we prospectively investigated changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and full white blood cell (WBC) counts during the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric patients with appendicitis. We also investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment processes of paediatric appendicitis patients. Materials andMethods:
A non-perforated appendicitis group (n = 110), a perforated appendicitis group (n = 35) and an appendicitis + COVID-19 group (n = 8) were formed. Blood samples were taken upon admission and every day until the three studied parameters returned to normal values. To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric appendicitis patients, the perforated appendicitis rates and the times from the onset of the first symptoms to the operation before and during the pandemic were compared.Results:
WBC, IL-6, and hsCRP dropped below the upper limits on the second postoperative day in the non-perforated appendicitis group, four to six days postoperatively in the perforated appendicitis group, and three to six days postoperatively in the appendicitis + COVID-19 group. These parameters were not within normal range in patients who developed complications during follow-up. The time from the onset of abdominal pain to the surgery was significantly longer during than before the pandemic in both the non-perforated appendicitis group and the perforated appendicitis group.Conclusions:
Our results show that WBC, IL-6, and hsCRP are useful laboratory parameters that can complete clinical examinations in the diagnosis of appendicitis in paediatric patients and the identification of complications that may develop postoperatively.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Appendicitis
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Child
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Afr J Paediatr Surg
Journal subject:
Pediatrics
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
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