Pediatric intussusception should see which department?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on May 20, 2025
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Pediatric intussusception is a surgical condition, so it is of course treated by pediatric surgery. When a child shows persistent crying and abdominal pain, along with bloody stools, there is a high suspicion of intussusception, and they should see a pediatric surgeon.

A professional pediatric surgeon will conduct a comprehensive physical examination of the child. If intussusception is suspected, an air enema should be performed under the guidance of X-ray imaging. Once intussusception is confirmed, conservative treatment is initially attempted. If conservative treatment fails, surgical treatment is required. Therefore, based on the above, pediatric intussusception definitely requires consultation with pediatric surgery.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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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
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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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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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What department should I go to for infant intussusception?

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 Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
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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.