BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuIntussusception – childrenAbdominal pain in children - intussusceptionIntussusception is the sliding of one part of the intestine into another.This article focuses on intussusception in children. Causes Intussusception is caused by part of the intestine being pulled inward into itself.The pressure created by the walls of the intestine pressing together causes:Decreased blood flow Irritation Swelling Intussusception can block the passage of food through the intestine. If the blood supply is cut off, the segment of intestine pulled inside can die. Heavy bleeding may also occur. If a hole develops, infection, shock, and dehydration can take place very rapidly.ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The cause of intussusception is not known. Conditions that may lead to the problem include:Viral infection Enlarged lymph node in the intestine Polyp or tumor in the bowelIntussusception can affect both children and adults. It is more common in boys. It usually affects children ages 5 months to 3 years. Symptoms The first sign of intussusception is very often sudden, loud crying caused by abdominal pain. The pain is colicky and not continuous (intermittent), but it comes back often. The pain will get stronger and last longer each time it returns.Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article An infant with severe abdominal pain may draw the knees to the chest while crying.Other symptoms include:Bloody, mucus-like bowel movement, sometimes called a "currant jelly" stool Fever Shock (pale color, lethargy, sweating) PalePaleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.Read Article Now Book Mark Article LethargyFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Stool mixed with blood and mucus Vomiting Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a thorough exam, which may reveal a mass in the abdomen. There may also be signs of dehydration or shock.Mass in the abdomenAn abdominal mass is swelling in one part of the belly area (abdomen).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests may include:Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal x-ray Abdominal x-rayAn abdominal x-ray is an imaging test to look at organs and structures in the abdomen. Organs include the liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines. Wh...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Air or contrast enemaEnemaBarium enema is a special x-ray of the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The child will first be stabilized. A tube will be passed into the stomach through the nose (nasogastric tube). An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in the arm, and fluids will be given to prevent dehydration.In some cases, the bowel blockage can be treated with an air or contrast enema. This is done by a radiologist skilled with the procedure. There is a risk of bowel tearing (perforation) with this procedure. Bowel blockageIntestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The child will need surgery if these treatments do not work. The bowel tissue can very often be saved. Dead tissue will be removed.Antibiotics may be needed to treat any infection.Intravenous feeding and fluids will be continued until the child has a normal bowel movement.IntravenousIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome is good with early treatment. There is a risk this problem will come back.When a hole or tear in the bowel occurs, it must be treated right away. If not treated, intussusception is almost always fatal for infants and young children. When to Contact a Medical Professional Intussusception is a medical emergency. Call 911 or the local emergency number, or go to the emergency room right away.Open ReferencesReferencesAbdulhai S, Ponsky T. Intussusception in infants and children. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 51.Hu YY, Jensen T, Finck C. Surgical conditions of the small intestine in infants and children. In: Yeo CJ, ed. Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 83.Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM. Ileus, adhesions, intussusception, and closed-loop obstructions. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 359.Maloney PJ. Pediatric gastrointestinal disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 166.AllVideoImagesTogColonoscopy - illustration There are 3 basic tests for colon cancer; a stool test (to check for blood), sigmoidoscopy (inspection of the lower colon), and colonoscopy (inspection of the entire colon). All 3 are effective in catching cancers in the early stages, when treatment is most beneficial.ColonoscopyillustrationIntussusception - X-ray - illustration This abdominal X-ray shows an intestinal condition in which a loop of bowel has slipped into another section of bowel (intussusception), causing swelling, reduced blood flow, obstruction, and tissue damage. Intussusception requires emergency treatment (barium enema or surgery) to prevent intestinal tissue death (necrosis), intestinal perforation, peritonitis, and death.Intussusception - X-rayillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationColonoscopy - illustration There are 3 basic tests for colon cancer; a stool test (to check for blood), sigmoidoscopy (inspection of the lower colon), and colonoscopy (inspection of the entire colon). All 3 are effective in catching cancers in the early stages, when treatment is most beneficial.ColonoscopyillustrationIntussusception - X-ray - illustration This abdominal X-ray shows an intestinal condition in which a loop of bowel has slipped into another section of bowel (intussusception), causing swelling, reduced blood flow, obstruction, and tissue damage. Intussusception requires emergency treatment (barium enema or surgery) to prevent intestinal tissue death (necrosis), intestinal perforation, peritonitis, and death.Intussusception - X-rayillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationRelated Information Shock(Injury)Dehydration(Condition)Abdominal pain(Symptoms) Review Date: 2/17/2024 Reviewed By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Intussusception – childrenAbdominal pain in children - intussusceptionIntussusception is the sliding of one part of the intestine into another.This article focuses on intussusception in children. Causes Intussusception is caused by part of the intestine being pulled inward into itself.The pressure created by the walls of the intestine pressing together causes:Decreased blood flow Irritation Swelling Intussusception can block the passage of food through the intestine. If the blood supply is cut off, the segment of intestine pulled inside can die. Heavy bleeding may also occur. If a hole develops, infection, shock, and dehydration can take place very rapidly.ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The cause of intussusception is not known. Conditions that may lead to the problem include:Viral infection Enlarged lymph node in the intestine Polyp or tumor in the bowelIntussusception can affect both children and adults. It is more common in boys. It usually affects children ages 5 months to 3 years. Symptoms The first sign of intussusception is very often sudden, loud crying caused by abdominal pain. The pain is colicky and not continuous (intermittent), but it comes back often. The pain will get stronger and last longer each time it returns.Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article An infant with severe abdominal pain may draw the knees to the chest while crying.Other symptoms include:Bloody, mucus-like bowel movement, sometimes called a "currant jelly" stool Fever Shock (pale color, lethargy, sweating) PalePaleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.Read Article Now Book Mark Article LethargyFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Stool mixed with blood and mucus Vomiting Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a thorough exam, which may reveal a mass in the abdomen. There may also be signs of dehydration or shock.Mass in the abdomenAn abdominal mass is swelling in one part of the belly area (abdomen).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests may include:Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal x-ray Abdominal x-rayAn abdominal x-ray is an imaging test to look at organs and structures in the abdomen. Organs include the liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines. Wh...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Air or contrast enemaEnemaBarium enema is a special x-ray of the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The child will first be stabilized. A tube will be passed into the stomach through the nose (nasogastric tube). An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in the arm, and fluids will be given to prevent dehydration.In some cases, the bowel blockage can be treated with an air or contrast enema. This is done by a radiologist skilled with the procedure. There is a risk of bowel tearing (perforation) with this procedure. Bowel blockageIntestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The child will need surgery if these treatments do not work. The bowel tissue can very often be saved. Dead tissue will be removed.Antibiotics may be needed to treat any infection.Intravenous feeding and fluids will be continued until the child has a normal bowel movement.IntravenousIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome is good with early treatment. There is a risk this problem will come back.When a hole or tear in the bowel occurs, it must be treated right away. If not treated, intussusception is almost always fatal for infants and young children. When to Contact a Medical Professional Intussusception is a medical emergency. Call 911 or the local emergency number, or go to the emergency room right away.Open ReferencesReferencesAbdulhai S, Ponsky T. Intussusception in infants and children. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 51.Hu YY, Jensen T, Finck C. Surgical conditions of the small intestine in infants and children. In: Yeo CJ, ed. Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 83.Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM. Ileus, adhesions, intussusception, and closed-loop obstructions. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 359.Maloney PJ. Pediatric gastrointestinal disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 166.