Can pediatric intussusception be cured?

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on April 27, 2025
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Once intussusception occurs, only a small portion of the small intestinal intussusception can reduce on its own. Those occurring in the colon or where re-intussusception occurs generally cannot reduce spontaneously and require enema therapy or surgical treatment. Enema therapy refers to cases where the intussusception occurs within forty-eight hours, the overall condition is good, there is no abdominal distension, no obvious dehydration or electrolyte disorders, and air or barium enema can be used. If the condition persists for more than forty-eight hours, the overall condition is poor, with symptoms such as dehydration, lethargy, high fever, shock, significant abdominal distension, signs of peritoneal irritation, multiple occurrences of intussusception, prior organic changes, or situations requiring surgical treatment for small bowel intussusception.

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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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Infant intussusception typical symptoms

The typical clinical manifestations of intussusception are as follows: Firstly, abdominal pain, which occurs in paroxysmal, regular episodes, characterized by sudden onset of severe colicky pain. The child appears restless and cries, with knees drawn to the abdomen, pale complexion, and relief coming after several minutes or longer; the pain reoccurs every ten to twenty minutes. Secondly, vomiting is an early symptom, initially reflexive containing milk curds or food residues, later possibly containing bile, and in the late stage, fecal-like liquid may be vomited. Thirdly, bloody stools are a significant symptom, appearing within the first few hours; initially, stools may appear normal, later becoming scanty or absent. In about 85% of cases, a jam-like mucousy bloody stool is passed within six to twelve hours of onset, or bloody stools are found upon rectal examination. Fourthly, abdominal mass is often found in the right upper quadrant just below the ribs, where a slight movable intussusception mass can be palpated, resembling a sausage.

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Is infant intussusception dangerous?

Intussusception is a life-threatening emergency, and its reduction is an urgent treatment measure that should be performed immediately once confirmed. It is a common acute abdomen disease in infants and young children. Initially, the general condition may be good, but as the disease progresses, the condition worsens, leading to systemic deterioration, complications such as intestinal necrosis or peritonitis, and severe symptoms of poisoning such as severe dehydration, high fever, lethargy, coma, and shock.

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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 Quan Xiang Mei
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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.