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Pharmacy Links

YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH/BOWEL DISORDERS: INTUSSUSCEPTION

10/09/09

Intussusception is an uncommon disorder of the bowel which usually occurs in children under 1 year old. Boys are more commonly affected than girls.

Cause

One section of bowel slides inside another adjoining section and becomes stuck, causing a blockage. Occasionally this follows some inflammation of the bowel, such as gastroenteritis, which leaves the lymph glands enlarged, but in the majority of cases, no cause can be identified.

Clinical features

The baby suffers from severe spasms of abdominal pain; he draws his legs to his chest and screams. He may vomit initially. After an hour or so, the baby becomes exhausted, looks pale and is drowsy between spasms. He may pass a stool which has blood in it (called a redcurrant jelly stool).

Investigations

An X-ray of the abdomen, together with a barium enema, will confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Early diagnosis is critical and admission to hospital essential as intussusception is a medical emergency. Dehydration must be treated with an intravenous infusion. A barium enema itself may be sufficient to reduce the pressure in the affected portion of the bowel and return it to its normal position. Failing this, surgery will be necessary to relieve the blockage.