The Place of Atopy in the Aetiology of Acute Appendicitis in Children.

OBJECTIVE: Appendicitis, the most common cause of abdominal pain requiring surgery in children, refers to inflammation of the vermiform appendix. The aetiology of appendicitis is multifactorial, although it is affected by several precursor factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether allergic diseases cause a predisposition to appendicitis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis and who had a diagnosis of acute appendicitis confirmed pathologically, and a control group of 124 individuals of similar ages and genders, were enrolled. The level of inflammation of appendiceal material in cases diagnosed with acute appendicitis was classified pathologically. The skin prick test (SPT) was used to determine allergic sensitization. RESULTS: A significant difference was determined between the patient and control groups in terms of skin prick positivity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While there are several known factors implicated in the causation of acute appendicitis, the cause cannot be identified in some cases. We think that atopy may also be a risk factor in the development of acute appendicitis.

A Rare Cause of Haemorrhage in the Upper Gastrointestinal System: Bochdalek Hernia.

Diaphragmatic hernia originates from insufficient closure of the pericardioperitoneal canals and pleuroperitoneal membranes. It is seen in one in every 4000 births. The general finding in the newborn period is respiratory difficulty. Mortality is 40-50%. There may be other accompanying organ anomalies. Congenital diaphragmatic hernias diagnosed after the newborn period are known as late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernias. This group is seen at a level of 5-20% and poses difficulty in diagnosis. This report describes a case under observation and receiving treatment for gastrointestinal haemorrhage, diagnosed as Bochdalek hernia.