Perforated Appendicitis on the Second Day of Life in a Neonate: A Case Report

Neonatal appendicitis is a condition that is extremely rare and usually manifests with nonspecific signs of abdominal pathology that can easily mimic more common conditions in neonates such as necrotizing enterocolitis, resulting in delayed diagnosis and a high incidence of perforation and mortality. Unlike appendicitis in older children, neonatal appendicitis is usually associated with ischemic events, necrotizing enterocolitis of the appendix, or congenital and anatomical issues that can predispose to early perforation. Early diagnosis is difficult, and most cases reported in the literature are diagnosed after perforation has already occurred, making the need for high clinical suspicion and early surgical intervention even more important.