Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffLeft untreated, peritonitis can extend beyond your peritoneum, where it may cause:
- A bloodstream infection (bacteremia).
- An infection throughout your body (sepsis). Sepsis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition that can cause shock and organ failure.
References
- Rangel SJ, et al. Peritonitis. In: Long SS, et al. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7020-3468-8..50075-4&isbn=978-0-7020-3468-8&uniqId=252862957-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-7020-3468-8..50075-4. Accessed May 30, 2011.
- Prasad AG, et al. Peritonitis, secondary. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed May 30, 2011.
- Treating kidney failure with peritoneal dialysis. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/patients/plu/plu_pd/pd_8.cfm. Accessed May 30, 2011.
- Runyon BA. Treatment and prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 30, 2011.
- Acute abdominal pain. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec02/ch011/ch011b.html. Accessed May 30, 2011.
- Fort GG, et al. Peritonitis, spontaneous bacterial. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed May 30, 2011.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 13, 2011.


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