Ultrasonographic evaluation of common findings in acute abdomen amongst paediatric age group in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Acute abdomen is very common complaint for paediatric patients presenting to the paediatric emergency departments and outpatient clinics and its management is time consuming. Ultrasound is reliable for the diagnosis of acute abdomen. This study was aimed at evaluating the commonest ultrasonographic findings in paediatric age group presented with acute abdomen in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. This was rospective, cross sectional study conducted from September, 2020 to December, 2022. A convenience sampling method was employed and a sample size of 170 paediatric patients with ages ranging between 0 and 18 years. Paediatrics presenting with non-traumatic acute abdomen were included in the study, while those with traumatic acute abdomen were excluded. GE LOGIQ F6 US machine with transducer frequency of 3.5 MHz-8 MHz was used as an instrument for data collection. The selected patients were scanned in supine position. Data generated was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Results generated indicate that the commonest symptoms of acute abdomen among paediatric in Kano metropolis besides abdominal pain were vomiting (63.5%) and running fever (55.8%). The commonest ultrasonographic findings of acute abdomen were gastroenteritis (17.1%), acute appendicitis (12.9%), nonspecific abdominal pain (10.0%) mesenteric adenitis (7.6%) and acute cholecystitis (7.1%). Intussusception, intestinal obstruction and intestinal perforation accounted for 5.9% each. Pyelonephritis, and cystitis accounted for 4.1% and 4.7% respectively. There was 2.9% for each acute hepatitis, renal calculus and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Midgut malrotation and volvulus and acute peritonitis accounted for 1.8% each. The common findings in acute abdomen among paediatrics in Kano metropolis, Nigeria were gastroenteritis, acute appendicitis, nonspecific abdominal pain and mesenteric adenitis.