Fatima A., 13

Fatima,is a 13-year-old teenager residing with her parents in the Kofa area, on the outskirts of Maiduguri. She is the fifth of nine children in a low-income family, with a monthly income of approximately ₦25,000. Her father earns a living by selling cola nuts, while her mother makes hats. Fatima, a 13-year-old female, presented with a 2-day history of severe abdominal pain that started around the periumbilical area and migrated to the right lower quadrant. The pain was constant, worsened with movement, and was accompanied by nausea, vomiting (3 episodes), and anorexia. She was brought to UMD for urgent medical attention. On presentation at our hospital and after further evaluation, Fatima was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The doctor recommended emergency surgery to remove the inflamed appendix and prevent potential complications that may arise if treatment is delayed.

Fatima is a 13-year-old girl presented with a sudden onset of right lower abdominal pain, nausea, accompanied by vomiting, fever and she became very uncomfortable for the past 24 hours. After thorough evaluation and investigation, she was diagnosed with Acute Appendicitis. She underwent successful appendectomy surgery without immediate complications. Due to the nature of her condition, she was admitted for 3 days for close monitoring and post-operative care. She recovered well and was discharged home after 3 days, with a fellow-up appointment scheduled for 1 week. Currently, she is doing well has fully recovered, and has resumed her regular activities. We appreciate the timely intervention by Helpster and the UMD Medical team.

Fatima's condition is in acute stage but she is in severe pain, discomfort,fever, vomiting with mild dehydration and she has a great chance of survival if treatment commence in good time.Usually,acute appendicitis can be easily removed surgically and patient is discharged home within 72 hours with good post operative management with antibiotics and good pain management.However,Delaying treatment can lead to a ruptured appendix,a more severe condition in which the appendix get bursts and leads to collection of pus,peritonitis,severe dehydration and sepsis which can be difficult to treat with all mechanism. An appendectomy, or surgical removal of the appendix, is typically the recommended treatment to ensure her recovery and prevent further complications.