OBJECTIVES: to determine the accuracy of the Alvarado score in diagnosing acute appendicitis in children and adolescents admitted in the emergency unit of the Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco (IMIP). METHODS: a diagnostic test study was carried out (clinical and laboratory score to diagnose acute appendicitis) using histopathology exam as the golden standard. The sample studied consisted of 81 children and adolescents admitted in the pediatrics emergency unit of IMIP with symptoms and signs consistent with clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis from the period of March to October 2002. Patients were examined in the pediatric emergency and assessed by the Alvarado score. Nevertheless, the decision to whether or not perform the surgery was made by an independent observer. RESULTS: the cut-off point was established at >5 points, sensitivity was determined at 92,6%, specificity at 63,6%, predictive positive value at 86,2% and negative predictive value at 77,8%. CONCLUSIONS: the Alvarado score is less invasive, simple, fast, reproducible and when the cutoff point is established at >5 points a valuable tool in screening children and adolescents for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
Appendicitis; Diagnosis; Child; Adolescent
