Can Fetuin-A, CRP, and WBC Levels Be Predictive Values in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Children with Abdominal Pain?

Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common cause of emergency surgery. Therefore, perforation is common. Early diagnosis and new markers are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of plasma Fetuin-A (FA) levels in patients with an acute abdomen (AB). This prospective study included 107 patients younger than 16 years of age who were admitted to the emergency department for abdominal pain between January and December 2018. The patients who presented abdominal pain were divided into two groups as AA and other causes (OC) of AB. Patients with acute appendicitis; intraperitoneal, retrocolic/retrocecal, and appendicitis were divided into three groups. Additionally, the AA group was divided into two groups as perforated appendicitis and non-perforated appendicitis. Serum FA levels of the patients were evaluated in the emergency department. In the AA group, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) levels were higher, and FA levels were significantly lower than in the AB group. Intraperitoneal localization was 95.2% and perforation was frequent. When significant values in the univariate regression analysis for acute abdomen and perforation were compared in the multivariate regression analysis, CRP, WBC, and FA levels were found to be prognostic. Furthermore, decreased FA levels were associated with AA, while too greatly decreased FA levels were associated with the risk of perforation. Current diagnosis can be made by history, physical examination, laboratory, and imaging methods in appendicitis cases. While trying to diagnose AA in children, the FA, CRP, and WBC levels may be predictive values to identify risk factors.