• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Intussusception (children)

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

Intussusception is the sliding of one part of the intestine into another.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Intussusception is caused by part of the intestine being pulled inward into itself. This can block the passage of food through the intestine. If the blood supply is cut off, the segment of intestine pulled inside strangles and can die.

The pressure created by the walls of the intestine pressing together causes irritation, swelling, and decreased blood flow. The intestine can die, and the patient can have significant bleeding. If a hole occurs, infection, shock and dehydration can take place very rapidly.

The cause of intussusception is not known, although viral infections may be responsible in some cases. Sometimes a lymph node, polyp, or tumor can trigger the telescoping. The older the child, the more likely such a trigger will be found.

Intussusception can affect both children and adults, although most cases occur in children between the age of 6 months and 2 years. It affects boys twice as often as girls.

The first sign of intussusception is usually sudden, loud crying caused by abdominal pain . The pain is colicky and intermittent (not continuous), but recurs frequently, increasing in both intensity and duration.

As the condition progresses, an infant may become weak and may go into shock. Vomiting and fever are common, and some infants will have a bloody, mucus-like bowel movement sometimes referred to as a "currant jelly" stool.

Prompt diagnosis results in the best outcomes.

• Review Date: 10/25/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, M.D., FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.