Intussusception: Child health

Question 1

Epidemiology of intussussception?

Answer 1

• Usually boys
• Babies < 1 month
• Children >3 years (due to cysts, Meckel’s diverticulum or cancer)

Question 2

What is intussusscpetion?

Answer 2

Part of the bowel (usually ileocaecal valve) has invaded telescopically into the next part of the bowel further on

IT IS AN EMERGENCY

Question 3

Clinical presentation of Intussussception?

Answer 3

• Red current jelly like stools
• Palpable sausage shaped mass
• Vomiting (could be bilious) with episodic severe colicky abdominal pain

Question 4

Clinical presentation of a baby with intussussception?

Answer 4

• Drawing of legs
• Vomiting
• High pitch cry