Can infantile intussusception heal by itself?

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on May 04, 2025
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Once intestinal intussusception occurs, only a small portion of small bowel intussusception can reduce spontaneously, becoming temporary small bowel intussusception, while intussusception involving the colon or repeated intussusception generally cannot reduce on its own. Due to the continuous spasm of the sheathed intestine, circulatory disturbances occur in the intussuscepted segment, initially impeding venous return, causing tissue congestion and edema, varicose veins, and mucous cells secreting large amounts of mucus into the intestinal lumen. This results in a jam-like gelatinous discharge mixed with blood and fecal matter. The bowel wall swells, worsening the obstruction of venous return, affecting the arteries, leading to insufficient blood supply, causing necrosis of the intestinal wall, and systemic toxicity symptoms. In severe cases, this can lead to intestinal perforation and peritonitis. Treatment generally involves air or barium enema or surgical methods.

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Written by Gong Hui
Pediatrics
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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 Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Intussusception: How to Diagnose

Intussusception is one of the most common acute abdominal conditions in infants and toddlers, primarily seen in children under one year old. It refers to the condition where part of the intestine and its mesentery slip into an adjacent intestinal lumen, causing obstruction at the root of the intestine. The diagnosis of intussusception in children is mainly based on clinical symptoms. A previously healthy child may suddenly experience an episode of severe, regular, intermittent colicky pain. The child may appear restless, crying, with knees bent, a reduced amplitude of movement, and a pale complexion, with the abdominal pain easing after 10 to 20 minutes. The child may also vomit and pass bloody stools. Bloody stools are a very important symptom; approximately 85% of cases will pass jelly-like, mucousy bloody stools within 6 to 12 hours of onset, or even if there is no bloody stool visible, rectal examination can reveal its presence. A sausage-shaped mass can be felt in the abdomen. Furthermore, an ultrasound can show a typical image of a concentric circle or target-sign mass. Under ultrasound monitoring, procedures such as air or hydrostatic enema can be performed, which help in the early diagnosis of intussusception.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Typical symptoms of intussusception in children

The typical symptoms of intussusception include abdominal pain, which initially presents as sudden, severe, crampy pain. The affected child may cry, appear restless, draw their knees up to their stomach, and have a pale complexion. The pain may last several minutes or longer and then relieve, with repetitions every ten to twenty minutes. The second symptom is vomiting, which is an early symptom that initially may include curdled milk and food residues, and later may contain bile or fecal matter. The third symptom is bloody stools, where approximately 85% of affected children may pass jelly-like mucus and blood within six to twelve hours of onset. An abdominal mass is often found in the upper right abdomen, and a sausage-shaped mass that is slightly movable upon touch can be felt beneath the ribs. Regarding the overall condition of the child, they may be able to attend school in the early stages without showing signs of toxicity. As the condition progresses, complications such as bowel necrosis or peritonitis can develop, leading to worsening systemic symptoms, including severe dehydration, high fever, drowsiness, coma, or shock.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Can intussusception pass gas?

Intussusception should be considered when the patient shows symptoms of intestinal obstruction, namely pain, vomiting, distension, and paralysis, along with cessation of gas and stool passing through the anus. In the early stages of intussusception, there may be a small amount of gas and stool passage, but the presence of intussusception should not be overlooked, and imaging studies can be performed for confirmation. If there is a fluid level in the intestinal lumen and clear signs of intestinal obstruction, and if the patient can feel a distinct mass in the abdomen, which on imaging shows concentric ring-like changes, intussusception should be considered. Once diagnosed, timely treatment is essential, thus treatment should not be delayed until there is an absence of stool and gas passage.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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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.