Diagnostic value of the white blood count and neutrophil percentage in the evaluation of abdominal pain in children.

Only 15 of 382 patients with appendicitis had a normal white blood count and neutrophil percentage. Abnormal counts are nonspecific and are elevated in other inflammatory conditions, such as those which are observed in the patients of group 2. A much higher number of patients with negative laparotomy findings had both a normal white blood count and neutrophil percentage. The real value of the white blood count and neutrophil percentage is in selecting patients who can be observed safely rather than undergoing operation. This may decrease the incidence of negative exploratory findings. It is essential to give priority to the physical findings and to use the white blood count and neutrophil percentage only as part of the over-all clinical evaluation.