The appendix is a small finger-like organ that's attached to the large intestine in the lower right side of the abdomen. The inside of the appendix forms a cul-de-sac that usually opens into the large intestine. When that opening gets blocked, the appendix swells and can easily get infected by bacteria.

Symptoms include: significant abdominal pain, especially around the bellybutton or in the lower right part of the abdomen (perhaps coming and going and then becoming consistent and sharp) low-grade fever loss of appetite nausea and vomiting diarrhea (especially small amounts, with mucus) frequent urination and/or an abnormally strong urge to urinate swollen or bloated abdomen, especially in infants If appendicitis goes untreated, the inflamed appendix can burst 24 to 72 hours after the symptoms begin. If the appendix has burst, the pain may spread across the whole abdomen, and the child's fever may be very high, reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). The symptoms of appendicitis can vary according to a child's age. Appendicitis is rare in infants. In kids who are 2 years old or younger, the most common symptoms of appendicitis are vomiting and a bloated or swollen abdomen, accompanied by pain.

Appendicitis affects seven percent of the US population and is the most common reason for a child to need emergency abdominal surgery. Most affected by appendicitis are young people between the ages of 11 and 20. And, most cases of appendicitis occur in the winter months -- between October and May. Having a family history of appendicitis may increase a child's risk for the illness, especially in males, and having cystic fibrosis also seems to put a child at higher risk.

Because the symptoms of appendicitis can be so similar to those of other medical conditions, it is often a challenge for doctors to diagnose it. To confirm or rule out appendicitis, a doctor typically examines a child's abdomen for signs of pain and tenderness, orders blood and urine tests, X-rays of the abdomen and chest, and a CT scan. If the doctor suspects appendicitis, you may be told to stop giving your child any food or liquids in order to prepare for surgery.

Appendicitis is treated by removing the inflamed appendix through an appendectomy. Surgeons usually remove a child's appendix either by making a traditional incision in the abdomen, or by using a small surgical device called a laparoscope that creates a smaller opening in the abdomen. An appendectomy usually requires a 2- to 3-day hospital stay. Before and after surgery, intravenous (IV) fluids and antibiotics will help keep infection at bay and decrease the risk for wound infections after surgery. If needed, your child will also receive pain medication. If the infected appendix bursts, it must still be removed surgically, but a longer hospital stay may be needed so that antibiotics can kill any bacteria that have spread in the child's body.