Intussusception is a type of acute abdomen and is one of the most serious surgical emergencies in infancy. The child’s intestine reverses peristalsis abnormally, and the anterior segment of the intestine is snapped into the lumen of the posterior segment, forming an intestinal obstruction. If the diagnosis and treatment are not timely, it may lead to toxic intestinal paralysis, intestinal necrosis, perforation, and even shock.
2 months to 2 years old is the “high risk age” The high risk age for intussusception is between 2 months and 2 years old for obese children. In this period of time, their gastrointestinal system is not yet well developed, especially some obese babies and children around 1 year old, the chances of some acute abdominal problems will be higher. Therefore, parents have to be alert when the baby in this period has abdominal pain symptoms.
Five symptoms of early judgment Although the baby’s stomach is in pain, but so small children, but not clearly expressed, at this time, parents must be “to read” to understand what the baby is “talking” to you. The manifestation of intussusception in babies is still slightly different from ordinary tummy pain.
Abdominal pain, crying – the baby’s tummy pain is the first symptom, when this symptom appears, the baby will have paroxysmal crying, sometimes the baby will also shrink legs, or use the hand to grasp the abdomen position, the face is white; vomiting – the baby when crying with vomiting ; Constipation – constipation occurs when the baby’s intestines are blocked in intussusception. Therefore, parents should be alert to tummy pain, especially in babies without stools.
Abdominal mass – the doctor can can feel the mass under or on the right rib edge of the baby, parents can also try; Bloody stool – after 8 to 12 hours, the baby will show symptoms of blood in the stool and will poop with blood, parents should send the child to the doctor in time at this time.
Diagnosis: abdominal fluoroscopy is important If the child is found to have intussusception early, it can be treated by non-surgical methods. However, if the diagnosis is delayed, the intestinal tube of the overlapped intestine will become toxic and necrotic, requiring surgery to remove the necrotic intestine, and the child’s health will be greatly endangered.
After 10 hours of onset, the baby may have bloody stools, and after more than 24 hours of onset, the intestine may begin to poison necrosis. It is best if the baby’s condition is detected in time and sent to the hospital within 24 hours.
In the hospital, the best means to check whether it is intussusception is abdominal X-ray, some children’s parents are reluctant to do X-ray examination, often not easy to make the correct diagnosis, delaying the disease.
In the early stages of intussusception, most babies can be cured by air enema treatment, which is effective and non-invasive. However, in advanced stages, surgical resection may be required.