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Intussusception
- Intussusception is the telescoping or prolapse of one portion of the bowel into an immediately adjacent segment.
- 90 % occur at the terminal ileum (ie, ileocolic).
- Male-to-female ratio is approximately 3:1.
- Usually seen between 5-9 months of age and 66% of all cases are in the first year of life.
- The classic triad of colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, and red currant jelly stools occurs in only 21% of cases
- Currant jelly stools are observed in only 50% of cases.
- Most patients (75%) without obviously bloody stools have stools that test positive for occult blood.
- If intussusception is strongly suspected, perform a contrast or air enema without delay.
- Mortality with treatment is 1-3%.
- If untreated, this condition is uniformly fatal in 2-5 days.