INTUSSUSCEPTION

 Basic information

description

Intussusception is an intestinal obstruction in which the bowel telescopes (folds into itself), forming a tube within a tube. It can affect all ages, but it is most common in infants and children between 2 months and 6 years. It is more common in boys.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Cramping pain in the abdomen. Infants cry out, bring the legs up to the abdomen. They become pale and sweaty during an attack. Attacks of pain may occur 10 to 20 minutes apart.
• Vomiting.
• May have stool that is mixed with blood and mucus.
• Weakness and lack of energy.
• Swollen abdomen.
• Mass in the abdomen that can be felt.
• Later symptoms: increased weakness, fever, shock (rapid heartbeat, weak pulse, rapid breathing).

causes

• Unknown for infants. The disorder may be caused by a virus infection, but this is unproven.
• In older children (usually over age 3) or in adults, it may be due to an intestinal problem.

risk increases with

• Recent upper-respiratory infection.
• Recent diarrhea illness.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Blunt injury to the abdomen.
• Lymph nodes that are enlarged; tumor or polyp in the intestine.
• Season of the year (for unknown reasons). It is most common in late spring, early summer, and midwinter.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No specific preventive measures.

expected outcomes

Outcome for most children is very good. With early diagnosis and treatment, complications are unlikely to develop.

possible complications

• Dehydration and shock.
• Intestinal perforation.
• Tissue damage that cannot be reversed.
• An infection may occur after surgery.
• The disorder may recur after barium treatment.
• Without treatment, complications are life-threatening.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your child's health care provider will do a physical exam with careful attention to the abdomen. Medical tests may include blood, urine, and stool studies; x-rays; or ultrasound.
• A barium or air enema may be done for diagnosis and treatment. In this procedure, a liquid containing barium is given with a tube into the rectum and special x-rays are taken. The barium helps show the intussusception on the x-ray. In many cases, the pressure of the barium unfolds the bowel and cures the problem. An air enema can work in the same way.
• Surgery to correct the problem may be needed. This is done if the child is too ill for the enema procedure or it was done and did not provide a cure. Surgery involves pushing out the telescoped portion of the intestine. In a few cases, a part of the bowel must be cut out.

medications

• Drugs are usually not needed for this disorder unless infection develops. Then antibiotics may be prescribed.
• Don't use home remedies or nonprescription drugs, such as laxatives, for this condition. They may be dangerous.

activity

The child should rest in bed until the obstruction is cleared. Activities may then be resumed gradually.

diet

Don't feed a child who has signs of intestinal obstruction. Intravenous (through a vein) fluids are given in the hospital until the child can eat again.

 notify our office if

• Your child has signs or symptoms of intestinal obstruction. This condition changes quickly from a curable one to a life-threatening one.
• Any new symptoms develop after treatment.

Special Notes: