Diagnostic Importance of the C-reactive Protein From Blood and Saliva in Children With Acute Appendicitis

University Hospital of Split100 enrolled

Overview

Diagnosing acute appendicitis in children is still a challenge even for experienced clinicians. Failure to recognize this acute condition can result in perforation, with consequent peritonitis, or misdiagnosis can result in negative appendectomies. C-reactive protein in blood can be elavated in children with acute appendicitis. The aim of this research is to compare the diagnostic value of C-reactive protein from the blood and saliva of children with acute appendicitis and to prove wheter the analysis of biomarker from saliva as a minimally invasive procedure can be sufficient for diagnosis.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

100

Conditions

Acute Appendicitis

Interventions

Blood specimen collection for C-reactive protein (CRP) and WBC (white blood cells). Saliva specimen collection for analysis of CRP levelsDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Blood analysis of CRP and WBC levels Saliva analysis of CRP levels

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * children with age from 5 to 17 with acute abdominal pain * children with clinical signs of appendicitis Exclusion Criteria: * previous diagnosis of chronic and/or malignant disease * children wich had previous abdominal surgery * pregnancy

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Level of CRP in blood

Levels of CRP in blood as measured by ELISA test

Time frame: 72 hours

Secondary Outcomes

Level of CRP in saliva

Levels of CRP in saliva as measured by ELISA test