Intussusception is a rare disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Typically associated with small bowel tumors, intussusception rarely presents without symptoms of abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting.

When should you suspect intussusception?

The first sign of intussusception in an otherwise healthy infant may be sudden, loud crying caused by abdominal pain. Infants who have abdominal pain may pull their knees to their chests when they cry. The pain of intussusception comes and goes, usually every 15 to 20 minutes at first.

How do you confirm intussusception?

To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order: Ultrasound or other abdominal imaging. An ultrasound, X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan may reveal intestinal obstruction caused by intussusception. Imaging will typically show a "bull's-eye," representing the intestine coiled within the intestine.

How fast does intussusception progress?

The main symptom of intussusception is severe abdominal pain that comes and goes. Each episode tends to last two to three minutes. In between episodes, the child will look very pale, tired and floppy. After 12 hours or so the pain becomes more constant, and the child will usually go off food and may vomit.

Can you poop with intussusception?

Your child may pass a normal stool, but the next stool may look bloody. A red, mucus, or jelly-like stool is usually seen with intussusception.

Intussusception - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

When do signs of NEC generally begins?

NEC typically occurs two to six weeks after birth, depending on the type and cause. Symptoms may come on over a few days or appear suddenly in babies who otherwise seem to be doing well. NEC is a common problem among infants in NICUs. Your baby's care team will be on the lookout for signs of this problem.

How do I know if my child has intussusception?

1. Vomiting.
2. Bloody stool.
3. Red, jelly-like stool.
4. Fever.
5. Extreme tiredness or lethargy.
6. Vomiting bile.
7. Diarrhea.
8. Sweating.

Can intussusception resolve on its own?

Sometimes it goes away on its own. In some cases, surgery may be needed. If not treated, intussusception can be life-threatening. Intussusception can happen again, especially if it's not treated with surgery the first time.

Why does intussusception cause lethargy?

This is a mixture of mucus, sloughed mucosa, and shed blood. Diarrhea can also be an early sign of intussusception. Lethargy is a relatively common presenting symptom with intussusception. The reason lethargy occurs is unknown, because lethargy has not been described with other forms of intestinal obstruction.

Can you have intussusception without pain?

The pain happens occasionally at first, usually every 15 to 20 minutes. As time passes, the pain will happen more often and last longer. Symptoms differ from child to child. Some have no pain at all.

What does intussusception look like?

Your child may pass a normal stool, but the next stool may look bloody. Further, a red, mucus or jelly-like stool is usually seen with intussusception. Physical examination may reveal a “sausage-shaped” mass felt upon palpation of the abdomen.

Can you hear intussusception?

The history of abdominal pain and vomiting as described above, may suggest the diagnosis of intussusception. Additionally, the examining doctor may feel an abdominal "sausage-shaped" mass (the intussusception itself) or upon auscultation with a stethoscope, may hear diminished or absent bowel sounds.

What is the most common site of intussusception?

About 90% of the intussusceptions in adults occur in the small or large bowel, while the remaining 10% involve the stomach or a surgically made stoma. Usually the most common site is the small bowel.

What is the main cause of intussusception?

The exact cause of intussusception is unknown. In most cases, it is preceded by a virus that produces swelling of the lining of the intestine, which then slips into the intestine below. In some children, it is caused by a condition that the child is born with, such as a polyp or diverticulum.

Why does intussusception cause intermittent pain?

Pain is intermittent because the bowel segment transiently stops contracting. Later signs include rectal bleeding, often with "red currant jelly" stool, and lethargy.

What is the difference between intussusception and volvulus?

Intussusception refers to invagination or telescoping of a part of the intestine into itself, and malrotation volvulus is a congenital anomaly that results when the normal sequence of rotation and fixation of the bowel fails, which may result in intestinal obstruction.

How long does it take to recover from intussusception?

Most children will be fully recovered in one month and can resume some normal activities. Your child's pediatric surgeon can advise as to what sports are allowed.

What can I eat with intussusception?

• Whole-grain breads.
• Low-fat dairy products.
• Beans.
• Fruits.
• Vegetables.
• Lean meats.
• Fish.

How does intussusception cause altered mental status?

Along with the classic and common presentations, patients with intussusception may also present with altered mental status. This altered mental status is often thought of as the child being inconsolable. Most practitioners will have intussusception high on the DDx in the child with inconsolability and vomiting.

Can you get intussusception twice?

Recurrent intussusception in adults is uncommon, and most often due to an organic cause, unlike in children.

How common is intussusception in adults?

This condition is frequent in children and presents with the classic triad of cramping abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and a palpable tender mass. However, bowel intussusception in adults is considered a rare condition, accounting for 5% of all cases of intussusceptions and almost 1%-5% of bowel obstruction.

How do you remove impacted stool from a child?

Your child's healthcare provider may prescribe an enema to help remove the impacted stool. An enema is a liquid that is placed in your child's rectum. It helps loosen the hard, dry stool. Never give your child an enema without the approval of your child's healthcare provider.

What is the survival rate for NEC?

The mortality rate in NEC ranges from 10% to more than 50% in infants who weigh less than 1500 g, depending on the severity of disease, compared with a mortality rate of 0-20% in babies who weigh more than 2500 g.

How do you know if baby is NEC?

In babies with symptoms of NEC, a diagnosis can be confirmed if an abnormal gas pattern shows up on an X-ray. This looks like a bubbly or streaky appearance of gas in the walls of the intestine. In severe cases, air escapes from the intestine and shows up in the large veins of the liver or the abdominal cavity.

How long does it take to recover from NEC?

This may take up to 5-7 days in some cases. Infants who have more severe disease may require a longer period for the return of bowel function, which is determined by the presence of normal bowel movements.