What department should I go to for infant intussusception?

Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

Updated on September 01, 2024

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Intussusception often occurs in infants and young children, mainly presenting with vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. The first department usually visited is the emergency pediatrics. If intussusception is confirmed, treatment may involve surgery or non-surgical reduction. Therefore, after confirming intussusception, the patient needs to be transferred to pediatric surgery or general surgery for inpatient treatment.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui

Pediatrics

40sec

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How to check for intussusception?

Intussusception is primarily diagnosed based on medical history, symptoms, physical signs, and auxiliary examinations. Medical history is mainly gathered by asking the parents, which is very important. Physical signs involve the doctor performing an abdominal palpation, where generally a mass can be felt on the abdominal wall. Auxiliary examinations usually include abdominal ultrasonography and upright abdominal plain films. For more complicated cases or when the location is unique and difficult to detect, a CT scan of the intestines may be performed to make the final diagnosis.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei

Pediatrics

55sec

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What tests need to be done for intussusception?

Intussusception is a common surgical disease in infants and young children, characterized clinically by crying, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, the passage of jelly-like stools, and vomiting. Auxiliary examinations for this condition primarily involve abdominal ultrasonography, though occasionally an abdominal X-ray can be performed. If a child experiences intussusception, treatment can vary depending on the severity; mild cases might be treated with an air enema. However, if the symptoms of intussusception are severe and prolonged, leading to ischemic necrosis of the intestines, surgical intervention is definitely required. In summary, the examination for intussusception primarily involves abdominal ultrasonography.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

42sec

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Can intussusception heal itself?

Once intestinal intussusception occurs, only a small part can be spontaneously reduced. In most cases, urgent reduction treatment is required, including non-surgical and surgical treatments. Non-surgical treatment mainly involves enema therapy. Within 48 hours of the intussusception, if the overall condition is good, the abdomen is not distended, and there are no obvious signs of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, barium enema treatment can be applied. If the duration of the intussusception exceeds 48 to 72 hours, or if the condition is severe with intestinal necrosis or perforation, surgical treatment is necessary.

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Written by Gong Hui

Pediatrics

1min 6sec

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What are the symptoms of intussusception in children?

Intussusception in children is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants and toddlers, often seen in children aged four to ten months. The main clinical manifestations of pediatric intussusception are paroxysmal abdominal pain. Infants typically exhibit episodes of crying and fussiness, with pale complexion, cyanosis, and frequent vomiting. Prolonged intussusception may result in the passage of bloody stools, resembling jam. In these cases, it is imperative to seek medical attention at a hospital. During a physical examination, doctors can feel an abdominal mass. An abdominal ultrasound can be performed, where a circular mass may be visible, confirming the diagnosis. After diagnosis, pediatric intussusception requires surgical treatment. If the intussusception has not persisted for long, an air enema can be performed. If the intussusception has lasted longer and the general condition is poor, surgical intervention may be needed under aggressive treatment.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

37sec

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Can intussusception in children cause fever?

In the early stages of intussusception, the child generally remains in good condition, with normal body temperature and no symptoms of systemic poisoning. As the disease progresses and worsens, complications such as intestinal necrosis or peritonitis may develop, leading to deterioration of the overall condition. At this point, severe dehydration, high fever, lethargy, coma, and shock, among other symptoms of poisoning, can occur. Therefore, fever can indeed appear in the later stages of intussusception.