Can intussusception resolve itself automatically?

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Some children with intussusception may resolve spontaneously, but it is important to closely monitor their condition with ultrasound to understand the status of the intussusception. If it does not resolve on its own in a short period, immediate surgical treatment is necessary. If the ultrasound shows successful resolution, or if the child's clinical symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal pain improve and the ultrasound does not reveal any obvious abnormalities, it is considered an automatic recovery.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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The earliest symptoms of intussusception in infants

The early symptoms of infantile intussusception mainly include abdominal pain and vomiting. The abdominal pain is typically paroxysmal and severe, manifesting as acute, intermittent colic. The child may cry and be restless, curling up with knees drawn in, and may appear pale. The abdominal pain eases after several minutes or more, but reoccurs every ten to twenty minutes. Vomiting mainly involves reflexive vomiting of curdled milk or food residues. In later stages, bile and fecal-like liquid may be present, indicating intestinal obstruction.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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How to treat intussusception in children?

Intussusception in children is a common surgical condition. The treatment approach depends on the severity of the child's clinical symptoms. If the intestines have not been telescoped for long, and the intestinal mucosa has not suffered ischemic necrosis, and if the clinical symptoms are mild, air enema can be used to relieve the intussusception without the need for surgery. However, if the clinical symptoms are severe and necrosis has been prolonged, meaning the intestinal mucosa has reached a state of ischemia and necrosis that is irreparable, surgical treatment in a surgical setting is definitely required. Whether surgery or air enema is needed should be decided based on the actual color ultrasound results and a comprehensive diagnosis by the clinician.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Pediatric intussusception should see which department?

Pediatric intussusception is a surgical condition, so it is of course treated by pediatric surgery. When a child shows persistent crying and abdominal pain, along with bloody stools, there is a high suspicion of intussusception, and they should see a pediatric surgeon. A professional pediatric surgeon will conduct a comprehensive physical examination of the child. If intussusception is suspected, an air enema should be performed under the guidance of X-ray imaging. Once intussusception is confirmed, conservative treatment is initially attempted. If conservative treatment fails, surgical treatment is required. Therefore, based on the above, pediatric intussusception definitely requires consultation with pediatric surgery.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Is intussusception in children serious?

Intussusception is a life-threatening emergency, and its reduction is an urgent medical treatment that must be performed immediately once diagnosed. Generally, in the early stages of intussusception, the general condition is still good, with normal body temperature and no symptoms of systemic toxicity. As time progresses, the condition worsens, and there may be necrosis of the intestines or peritonitis, with overall health deteriorating. Common severe symptoms include dehydration, high fever, lethargy, coma, and shock from toxicity.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Causes of intussusception in children

The etiology of intussusception is divided into primary and secondary types, with 95% being primary, which is common in infants and young children. In infants, the mesentery of the ileocecal region is not yet fully fixed and has a larger degree of mobility, which is a structural factor conducive to the occurrence of intussusception. Secondary cases account for about 5%, often secondary to Meckel's diverticulum, intestinal polyps, intestinal tumors, intestinal duplications, and abdominal purpura causing swelling and thickening of the intestinal wall, which can lead to intussusception. Certain factors may cause a change in the rhythmic movement of the intestines leading to disorder, thereby inducing intussusception, such as changes in diet, viral infections, and diarrhea.