UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Pediatrics

Title: Intussusception

Keywords: Intussusception (PubMed Search)

Posted: 7/12/2008 by Don Van Wie, DO (Updated: 4/25/2024)
Click here to contact Don Van Wie, DO

Intussusception

Intussusception is the telescoping or prolapse of one portion of the bowel into an immediately adjacent segment.
90 % occur at the terminal ileum (ie, ileocolic).
Male-to-female ratio is approximately 3:1.
Usually seen between 5-9 months of age and 66% of all cases are in the first year of life.
The classic triad of colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, and red currant jelly stools occurs in only 21% of cases
Currant jelly stools are observed in only 50% of cases.
Most patients (75%) without obviously bloody stools have stools that test positive for occult blood.
If intussusception is strongly suspected, perform a contrast or air enema without delay.
Mortality with treatment is 1-3%.
If untreated, this condition is uniformly fatal in 2-5 days.