Prevalence and Patterns of Appendicitis Presentation Among Paediatric Patients at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State

Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies worldwide, and its presentation in paediatric patients often differs significantly from adult patterns, leading to delayed diagnosis and increased risk of perforation. In Nigeria, limited access to advanced imaging and the variable quality of emergency care in tertiary settings contribute to diagnostic challenges. This study investigates the prevalence, clinical presentation patterns, and outcomes of appendicitis among paediatric patients at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, in the North Central geopolitical zone. A retrospective cross-sectional design is applied to case records of patients aged 0 to 15 years admitted and managed for appendicitis over a five-year period from 2018 to 2022. Data extracted include age, sex, duration of symptoms before presentation, clinical signs, white blood cell counts, imaging findings, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes. SPSS is used for analysis, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests applied. Available regional literature suggests that perforation rates in Nigerian paediatric appendicitis cases exceed 40 percent, linked to prolonged symptom duration before hospital presentation. The Alvarado Score is applied as the diagnostic framework reference. Findings will contribute to refining paediatric appendicitis management protocols at the institution and informing training on early recognition and timely surgical intervention. Keywords: appendicitis, paediatric surgery, Kwara State, clinical presentation, perforation.