Appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in children. However, doctors say diagnosing the condition can be difficult.
In fact, as many as 30-percent of children have surgery unnecessarily and at least another third already have a ruptured appendix by the time doctors operate.
Now, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston say they have pinpointed a protein in urine linked to appendicitis that could eventually lead to a simple test to diagnose kids faster, and more accurately. Their study, published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, June 23, 2009, indicates the protein is called leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRG).
Larger studies in adults would need to happen first.
