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Intususcepción en los niños - Overview

Definición:

La intususcepción es el deslizamiento de una parte del intestino dentro de otra.

Este artículo se centra en la intususcepción en niños.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

La intususcepción es causada por una parte del intestino que se introduce en sí mismo, lo cual puede obstruir el paso de los alimentos a través del mismo intestino. Si se interrumpe el suministro de sangre, el segmento del intestino que se ha introducido puede morir.

La presión generada por las paredes del intestino causa:

  • Disminución del flujo sanguíneo
  • Irritación
  • Hinchazón

El intestino puede morir y el paciente puede presentar sangrado significativo. Si ocurre una perforación, se puede presentar infección, shock y deshidratación en forma muy rápida.

La causa de la intususcepción no se conoce; aunque las infecciones virales pueden ser las responsables en algunos casos. Algunas veces, un ganglio linfático, un tumor o un pólipo pueden desencadenar el problema. Cuanto mayor sea el niño, mayor será la probabilidad de encontrar dicho desencadenante.

La intususcepción puede afectar tanto a niños como adultos, aunque la mayoría de los casos ocurre en niños entre los 6 meses y dos años de edad. Esta dolencia afecta a los hombres con una frecuencia cuatro veces mayor que a las mujeres.

  • Reviewed last on: 4/26/2010
  • Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Wyllie R. Ileus, adhesions, intussusceptions, and closed-loop obstructions. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 330.

Peterson MA. Disorders of the Large Intestine. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 93.

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