CNN anchor Jake Tapper’s daughter wrote an article detailing how a missed appendicitis diagnosis almost cost her her life. Alice Tapper, who was 14 at the time of her hospitalization, went to the ER with abdominal cramps, a low fever, chills and vomiting. She was given IV fluids and transferred to another hospital as her pain worsened. Her parents checked with Alice’s pediatrician who suggested doctors consider appendicitis – but since the pain wasn’t only on the typical right side, doctors chalked it up to a viral infection. As days went on, Alice got even more sick yet was only given a heating pad and over-the-counter medication for pain. The Tappers requested both an ultrasound and an assessment by a gastroenterologist, but neither were granted.
Finally, because of his journalistic connections, Mr. Tapper was able to get the hospital administrator’s phone number and begged for help. Only then did Alice receive an x-ray which revealed a perforated appendix causing a stream of harmful bacteria throughout Alice’s body. She had emergency surgery to drain the toxic leakage and had to stay in the hospital for over a week recovering from sepsis and hypovolemic shock. Months after her initial ordeal, having recovered and regained her strength, Alice had her appendix removed at a third hospital.
Research from Dr. Prashant Mahajan, a leader in emergency pediatric medicine at the University of Michigan, indicates that appendicitis can be missed in up to 15% of children at initial presentation. This is despite appendicitis being the most common surgical emergency in children. It’s most commonly misdiagnosed in children under 5 and in girls. A 5-year-old girl in England died from appendicitis in 2018, two days after a doctor sent her home with an incorrect diagnosis of a stomach bug. Appendicitis also is sometimes missed on a CT scan.
A missed diagnosis can sometimes be the difference between life and death. Alice wrote her article to inspire families who may not have the same connections as her dad to advocate for children’s health regardless of age or gender. Contact SecondOpinions.com to be a health advocate for your family.
