Intussusception

Intussusception is the most common reason for emergency abdominal surgery in infants and young children. It is the introduction of a portion of intestine and its mesentery through another segment of the intestine itself in a telescopic manner.

In 90% of infants, this condition is of idiopathic cause, but in some cases, it is related to adenovirus and rotavirus infections. A hyperplasia of the Peyer's plates of the terminal ileum is noted in these infants, which causes partial obstruction of the lumen and stimulation of peristalsis. In the other 10% of cases, this condition is due to the presence of anatomical lesions.

Invagination of the bowel has a classic clinical presentation seen in eutrophic infants, usually between 3 and 9 months of age. The picture is distinguished by colicky abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting and enterorrhagia. Although uncommon, it can also manifest with other symptoms (atypical presentations) which should be known so that intussusception does not go unnoticed.

Keywords: intussusception, infant surgery, occlusive syndrome in children