[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.