RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 White cell count and diagnosing appendicitis in children JF Emergency Medicine Journal JO Emerg Med J FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine SP 428 OP 429 DO 10.1136/emj.19.5.428-b VO 19 IS 5 A1 Robert Williams A1 Kevin Mackway-Jones YR 2002 UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/19/5/428.3.abstract AB A short cut review was carried out to establish whether a single white cell count has clinical utility in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Altogether 100 papers were found using the reported search, of which four presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date, and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.