Appendicitis is one of the more common childhood ailments. In fact, according to the Cleveland Clinic, roughly 70,000 children suffer from the condition every single year. Fortunately, when doctors catch appendicitis early, it is almost always treatable.
If doctors misdiagnose appendicitis as something else, however, your child might suffer serious complications. These include sepsis, septic shock and even death. As a result, it may be beneficial to question your child’s diagnosis.
Frequent misdiagnoses
According to Michigan Medicine, emergency room doctors misdiagnose pediatric appendicitis in as many as 15% of cases. This is likely due to a couple of reasons. First, appendicitis sufferers might not have localized pain in their lower abdomens. Second, some kids with appendicitis may be able to pass the jump test doctors typically use to rule out the condition.
A second opinion
As a parent, your children’s health and well-being are among your top priorities. If your child does not seem to be recovering, it probably makes sense to ask for a second opinion.
If your child’s condition deteriorates, though, you may need to take the young one in your family to a different medical center for further evaluation. While it can be awkward to request a second opinion, the stakes could not be higher. After all, when it comes to diagnosing and treating pediatric appendicitis, timing is critical.
Ultimately, though, if your child suffers needless harm because of a doctor’s misdiagnosis of appendicitis, you may have legal grounds to seek substantial financial compensation from the doctor and the hospital.