Pediatric intussusception should see which department?

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on September 25, 2024
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Intussusception often occurs in infants and young children, so the main symptoms are vomiting, bloody stools, and abdominal pain. Therefore, the initial consultation is usually in pediatric emergency. When intussusception is suspected as a cause of acute abdomen, the doctor will conduct intestinal tube and abdominal ultrasound examinations. If the ultrasound confirms intussusception, a transfer to pediatric surgery or emergency surgery may be considered for appropriate surgical treatment. Thus, the initial choice for consultation is usually pediatrics, but after a diagnosis is confirmed, treatment should be transferred to pediatric surgery.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Early symptoms of intussusception in children

Intussusception in children refers to a segment of the intestine telescoping into the adjoining lumen, causing an obstruction to the passage of intestinal contents. Intussusception accounts for 15%-20% of intestinal obstructions and can be primary or secondary. Generally, primary intussusception is more common in infants and young children. Early symptoms may include bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, possibly accompanied by bloody stools, and a palpable mass in the abdomen. Moreover, intussusception can occur in multiple locations, such as jejunum into jejunum, jejunum into ileum, ileum into ileum, ileum into cecum, ileum into colon, colon into colon, etc. Among these, ileo-cecal intussusception is the most common, while small intestine into small intestine and colon into colon are relatively rare.

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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.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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Is intestinal intussusception easy to treat?

Intussusception is a common pediatric surgical condition in infancy and early childhood. It is characterized clinically by abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and the passage of jelly-like stools. Mild cases of intussusception can usually be treated in a clinical setting with an air enema under surgical guidance. However, severe intussusception, which has led to ischemia or necrosis of the intestinal mucosa, must be treated surgically. Therefore, the treatment of intussusception is not difficult, but it is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis. With timely diagnosis, the condition is relatively easy to manage with the best and most appropriate treatment, where diagnosis is the most critical aspect.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Can children with intussusception drink water?

Intussusception can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and vomiting. When intussusception has not been reduced, it is not recommended to drink water or eat food, because the vomit can lead to choking. It can also cause vomit to enter the trachea, leading to aspiration pneumonia, suffocation, and other serious symptoms. Therefore, generally after the intussusception is reduced and there is anal exhaust, proving that the intestines are unobstructed, then drinking water is permitted.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
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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.