The influence of sex and age on appendicitis in children and young adults

Abstract

SYNOPSIS A study has been made of the influence of age and sex on the incidence of cases of appendicitis and of fatal appendicitis in children and young adults. Appendicitis is uncommon in children under the age of 5, but the proportion of cases complicated by peritonitis is large, and the death rate in the population of this age is relatively high. Appendicitis is very common in adolescents, but here the proportion of cases complicated by peritonitis is small. However, because of the frequency of the condition, the death rate in the general population of this age is high, with a maximum at about the age of 15 years.These findings are compatible with the suggestion that the appendix during the 'teens is particularly liable to obstruct and hence to become inflamed because of the large proportion of lymphoid tissue which it contains.Inflammation of the appendix is more common in males than in females, and this male excess is greater in infants and pre-school children than it is in children of school age.

Appendicitis, fibre intake and bowel behaviour in ethnic groups in South Africa

“…For total Caucasians our figures were, males 15-1l%, females 18.0%. Prevalence increased with age, in the groups studied, as found by others (Reid et al, 1936;Young & Russell, 1939;Erasmus, 1939;Lee, 1962;Wright, 1963;Ludbrook & Spears, 1965;Ashley, 1967;Howorth, 1969). Evidence suggests that in urban Negroes, prevalence of appendicectomy has doubled since 1939 (Erasmus, 1939).…”

“…They are especially apposite for study since peak prevalence of appendicectomy occurs at late adolescence, 15-19 years (Reid, Poer & Merrel, 1936;Young & Russell, 1939;Lee, 1962;Wright, 1963;Ashley, 1967;Howorth, 1969). Subjects, males and females, .in the four ethnic groups included (i) 10,101 senior pupils at schools in Johannesburg, Durban, and a number of country districts; and (ii) 5216 students attending Universities or Colleges in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Grahamstown and Durban.…”

“…(Reid, Poer & Merrel, 1936;Young & Russell, 1939;Lee, 1962;Wright, 1963;Ashley, 1967;Howorth, 1969 (Reid et al, 1936;Young & Russell, 1939;Howorth, 1969). Prevalences of appendicectomy in the different ethnic, sex and age groups were obtained using a questionnaire.…”

A Study of Efficacy of Alvarado Score vs Ultrasonography in Evaluation of Suspected Appendicitis

“…It has been seen in various studies that proportion of cases complicated by peritonitis in this age group is more than in age group >10 years. 9 This has been commented on often, and ascribed, among other things, to the difficulties of diagnosis, the proportionately greater length of appendix, and the lack of development of omentum in young children. appendicitis is seen more commonly in males than in females.…”

“…The disease is relatively common in age group >10 years and <40 years. It has been suggested that the peak in development of lymphoid tissue which occurs during adolescence leads to an increased liability of appendix to obstruct, and so accounts for high incidence of the disease 9 . In the absence of any clear evidence as to how anatomy of appendix itself changes with age, the above hypothesis most satisfactorily explains the increased incidence of the disease in adolescents and young adults.…”