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Intussusception (children)

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Treatment:

The child will first be stabilized. A nasogastric tube will be passed into the stomach through the nose to help the bowels decompress. An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in the arm and fluids will be given to prevent dehydration.

In some cases, the bowel obstruction can be treated with an air or contrast enema performed by a skilled radiologist. There is a risk of bowel perforation with this procedure, and it is not used if the bowel has already developed a hole.

If conservative treatment is unsuccessful, the child will need surgery. The bowel tissue can usually be saved, but any dead tissue will be removed.

Intravenous feeding and fluids will be continued until the child has a normal bowel movement.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is good with early treatment. There is a risk the condition will recur.

Complications:

Perforation is a serious complication due to risk of infection.

Calling your health care provider:

Intussusception is an EMERGENCY. Call your health care provider immediately, then call 911 or go immediately to the emergency room.

• 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.

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