Other
https://doi.org/10.26332/a53dkg35
Acute Appendicitis: From Pediatrics to Geriatrics
Lea Maršić
; Emergency Department, General Hospital Našice, Našice, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia
Željka Dragila
; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia; Emergency Department, University Hospital Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Zrinka Mihaljević
orcid.org/0000-0002-6631-071X
; Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Višnja Nesek Adam
; Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical Hospital "Sveti Duh", Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Acute appendicitis is one of the most frequent surgical emergencies. However, its clinical presentation can vary significantly across patient populations. This review summarizes the clinical presentation of acute appendicitis in children, adults, pregnant women, and older adults. While classic symptoms such as abdominal pain that migrates to the right lower quadrant, anorexia, nausea and vomiting are well recognised in the general adult population, they are often absent or altered in children, pregnant women and older adults. In children, symptoms may be nonspecific and and resemble a viral infection, and difficulties in describing pain often contribue to delayd diagnosis and increased risk of perforation. In pregnancy, anatomical displacement of abdominal organs reduce the accuracy of physical examination, complicating decision-making. Older adults commonly present with poorly defined abdominal discomfort, minimal tenderness and reduced inflammatory response due to comorbidities and age-related immune dysfunction, resulting in increased complications and mortality rates. Awareness of these population-specific differences and careful clinical evaluation are essential to prevent diagnostic delays and improve outcomes.
Keywords: appendicitis; diagnosis; child; pregnancy; aged
Keywords
appendicitis; diagnosis; child; pregnancy; aged
Hrčak ID:
345706
URI
Publication date:
18.5.2026.
Visits: 207 *