Misdiagnosed appendicitis is relatively common. According to a recent study, between 3.8% and 15% of children admitted to emergency departments at hospitals were misdiagnosed despite presenting symptoms consistent with appendicitis. If your child is one of them, you know that watching your child’s pain get worse until a doctor accurately diagnoses their condition is traumatic for both you and your child.
While it’s possible to file a malpractice lawsuit with the help of your Pennsylvania pediatric malpractice attorney, it’s still beneficial to understand why that misdiagnosis may have happened. Let’s take a look at some of the more common reasons for misdiagnoses of appendicitis in children.
The Most Common Appendicitis Misdiagnoses
Appendicitis has symptoms that are remarkably consistent with other less dire conditions. Those similarities and consistencies can make it difficult for doctors with heavy caseloads to accurately diagnose your child. Here are some of the most common misdiagnoses parents may see and should be on the lookout for.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis, more commonly known as the stomach flu, causes inflammation of the stomach and intestinal tract. This inflammation can lead to stomach pain in the abdomen that may resemble appendicitis. Since children often complain of stomachaches when they’re experiencing appendicitis, it’s easy to see why doctors may leap to the conclusion that they’re dealing with a nasty stomach bug.
Constipation
Constipation is one of the main symptoms children experience in the early stages of appendicitis. However, it can also be caused by not drinking enough water, changes in daily routines, ignoring the need to go to the bathroom, or not eating enough fiber. All of these situations are fairly common for picky eaters or children experiencing stressful changes in their lives.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
UTIs can cause pain in the lower abdomen, just like appendicitis, and can happen to kids as a result of bad bathroom hygiene, especially when they’re first getting potty trained. UTIs can also result from frequent dehydration, which is common in younger children.
What You Should Do if Your Child Is Misdiagnosed
If you believe that your child was misdiagnosed when they were exhibiting clear signs of appendicitis, seek a second opinion immediately. Leaving appendicitis untreated puts your child at risk of a ruptured appendix. When the organ ruptures, it can spread infection throughout the abdomen, increasing the risk of further complications and even death.
If you’re not there already, head to the emergency room and let their medical care team know that you believe your child is experiencing appendicitis and ask them to run the appropriate tests. It’s okay to advocate for your child and their well-being, even if you feel that it comes across as pushy or condescending. It’s not and the medical care team should understand that you’re just trying to protect your child.
If you’re already at the emergency room and feel that a doctor has misdiagnosed your child’s condition, ask for a second opinion. Explain why you believe your child has appendicitis and ask them to find a colleague or ask them to run diagnostic tests just to be safe. If the doctor dismisses your concerns, call the patient advocacy hotline immediately and request assistance or go to a different emergency room.
When to Pursue Malpractice
Once your child is appropriately treated for their appendicitis, you may want to explore the possibility of holding their original doctor accountable for the misdiagnosis. At Latona Law, our team has decades of experience helping families like yours hold medical care providers accountable for their actions. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Our team will review your case and help you decide on your best next steps.