Complicated Appendicitis in a Pediatric Patient with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Appendicitis is a common acute surgical condition in the pediatric population. With the rise of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many efforts have been made to understand the association of this virus with other disease entities. However, the association of acute appendicitis and SARS-CoV-2 infection in children has not been well established. Few cases have been described in the literature with different hypotheses attempting to link the two entities. This highlights the need to be aware of such possible associations to achieve proper diagnosis and management and avoid complications. Case Report: In this report, we describe the case of a seven-year-old boy who presented to our institution with uncomplicated appendicitis. The child was found to have SARS-CoV-2 infection on routine hospital testing. His condition deteriorated within hours, and he progressed from uncomplicated to complicated appendicitis. The child underwent surgical management followed by further medical management until he recovered. He had a smooth recovery and experienced no complications. Conclusion: There is still no definite explanation concerning the effect of COVID-19 on appendicitis. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of acute appendicitis in the context of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection and anticipate a possible progression of the disease course triggered by the virus.