Surgical Emergencies in the Pediatric Office

Abstract

Infants and children often present with common signs and symptoms that may or may not be manifestations of a surgical emergency. This review expands the differential diagnosis of several common presentations to include surgical causes suggesting surgical emergencies and the need for immediate referral to a pediatric surgeon. The presenting signs and symptoms reviewed include bilious emesis, abdominal distention, acholic stools, bloody stools, and scrotal mass.