Can intussusception in children cause fever?

Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

Updated on September 23, 2024

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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.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui

Pediatrics

44sec

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Intussusception should visit which department?

Intussusception generally falls under pediatric surgery, but many children arrive at the hospital without a clear self-diagnosis of intussusception; they often come due to abdominal pain. They can visit either the internal medicine department or the surgical department. At this point, the attending physician will conduct a thorough medical history inquiry, such as a standing abdominal radiograph, abdominal ultrasonography, and physical examination, to aid in diagnosis. If a diagnosis confirms the need for surgical intervention, whether it involves air enema or surgery, it is definitely within the scope of the surgical department.

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Written by Li Chang Yue

General Surgery

1min 9sec

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Why does intussusception cause bleeding?

Patients experience bleeding in cases of intussusception primarily because the segment of intestine that telescopes into another suffers from poor blood supply, or ischemia and hypoxia, ultimately leading to ischemic and hypoxic hemorrhagic changes in the intestinal wall. As a result, patients often exhibit symptoms such as bloody stools or stool that resembles jam. The occurrence of bleeding in intussusception generally indicates a relatively severe case. Treatment methods vary between adults and children. For children with intussusception, manual reduction or air or barium enema can be used to perform pressure reduction, allowing the intussusception to be treated conservatively without the need for surgical intervention. However, for adults, if bleeding is present, it indicates that the intussusception is severe and might be due to tumors or other space-occupying lesions, necessitating active surgical treatment. This approach is effective in stopping the bleeding and identifying the underlying cause of the condition.

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Written by He Zong Quan

General Surgery

42sec

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Can I take a bath after an enema for intussusception?

Patients with intussusception may experience a variety of symptoms including abdominal pain, a mass, and bloody stools, and may need an air enema for reduction. If symptoms disappear after the enema reduction and imaging suggests that the intussusception has been reduced, then the condition is improving. Since the enema does not cause localized wounds or obvious external trauma, it does not affect bathing. Intussusception often occurs in children, while in adults it is usually due to a structural disease, especially tumors, and a definitive diagnosis is needed for proper management. As long as the patient has not undergone surgical treatment, they can bathe.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

1min 13sec

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Infant intussusception symptoms

Intussusception clinically presents with abdominal pain, which occurs in fits and starts and has a regular pattern. This manifests as sudden spasmodic colic; the child cries and is restless, drawing the knees up to the belly and turning pale. The pain lasts for several minutes or longer, then eases off, allowing the child to fall asleep quietly. These episodes recur every 10 to 20 minutes as intestinal movements provoke further attacks. Vomiting occurs, initially consisting of curdled milk or food residues and later containing bile-stained, feculent fluid. Moreover, blood in stools is an important symptom. Symptomatically, stools may appear normal for a few hours, but within six to twelve hours, 85% of affected children might pass jelly-like mucus blood stools. A palpable lump can be detected in the upper right abdomen, indicative of the point of intussusception. As for general symptoms, the child may appear well early on, but as the condition worsens, intestinal necrosis or peritonitis may occur, leading to severe dehydration, high fever, lethargy, coma, shock, and other signs of systemic toxicity.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

41sec

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Does intussusception require a CT scan?

Intussusception is commonly diagnosed through routine abdominal ultrasound examinations, which have a positive rate of over 90%. In the ultrasound, the transverse section of the intussusception can show concentric circles or target ring-shaped mass images, and the longitudinal section may reveal the sleeve sign. Additionally, a barium enema can be employed, along with X-ray imaging. Under X-ray, the lead point of intussusception appears as a mass shadow, and air enema reduction treatment can be performed concurrently. Generally, CT is not used as a routine diagnostic tool.