[Guidelines for diagnosis of acute appendicitis in childhood]. / Conduite du diagnostic d'une appendicite aiguë chez l'enfant.

Facing a child with suspected acute appendicitis it is important to remind that a child is not a smaller adult. The main risk is to over-diagnose acute appendicitis in elder children and to misdiagnose it in preschool children and infants because it is less frequent, with early complications, and/or confusing symptoms in these age groups. Careful anamnesis and examination of the whole child--not only the belly--are mandatory. Biological findings of bacterial infection and US findings suggesting acute appendicitis are helpful. In doubtful cases the best help is offered by observation of the patient, symptoms and signs worsening necessarily in case of an acute appendicitis.