[Value of blood inflammatory markers in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the value of serum inflammatory markers in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) in children.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 51 children with AA and 16 children with nonsurgical abdominal pain (NSAP) to examine white blood cell count (WBC), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

RESULTS

WBC count, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α increased significantly in children with severe AA (phlegmonous or gangrenous, and perforated appendicitis). ROC curves showed that IL-6 or TNF-α had a greater contribution than WBC count to the diagnosis of severe appendicitis.

CONCLUSION

IL-6 and TNF-α can provide complementary information to assist the clinical decision of emergency operation for children with AA.