Appendicitis risk factors

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Risk calculators and risk factors for Appendicitis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Anyone can get appendicitis, but it is more common among people 10 to 30 years old. Appendicitis leads to more emergency abdominal surgeries than any other cause.

Risk Factors

• The most common cases of appendicitis occur between the ages of 10 and 30 years.

In children:

• Appendicitis results in the most common need for emergency abdominal surgery in children.
• A family history of appendicitis increases the child's risk, especially in males.
  • Male children with cystic fibrosis are at an even higher risk.