INTUSSUSCEPTION IN CHILDREN

Sharma Surinder Mohan*, Dr. Yesvant Singh Pal, Dr. Atul Shishodia and Dr. Minakshi Singh

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ABSTRACT

Intussusception occurs due to invagination of proximal intestine into the distal loop resulting in features suggestive
of intestinal obstruction. Intussusception commonly occurs in small children less than one year of age following an
episode of Gastroenteritis or viral infection. Pathological lead point is implicated in children in more than two years
of age. At times the cause of Intussusception remains unidentified in children. Among elderly Intussusception is
generally due to a lead point like Lipoma, Meckel’s diverticulum or even the stump of amputated Appendix which
may act as a lead point in causation of Intussusception. After the onset of Intussusception, the diagnosis in an infant
becomes difficult. The child cries due to colicky pain flexing the lower limbs vigorously with brief intermission of
remission from pain. In initial stages the classical diagnostic feature of palpable lump may be absent or difficult to
appreciate. The patient may respond to non-operative method of reduction of Intussusception but recurrence is also
not uncommon. The unrelenting persistence of Intussusception must be managed first by resuscitation, therapeutic
enema or by surgical intervention in case patient remains unresponsive to non-operative techniques in hospital.
About ten percent of the children require resection and anastomosis.

Keywords: Acute Gastroenteritis, Intussusception, Lump abdomen, Pathological lead point, Gangrene small gut, Therapeutic enema.