Patient's question:
My youngest son is now over 5 years old and has had 3 cases of intussusception. The first was when he was about 8 and a half months old, the second was around his first birthday, and the third was just recently at the age of 5. What is intussusception?Doctor's answer:
Generally, intussusception is a condition where a segment of the intestine telescopes into the lumen of the adjacent intestine. It is the most common type of acute intestinal obstruction in infants. The most common site involves the terminal ileum telescoping into the wide cecal lumen. The onset is associated with factors such as differences in intestinal diameter, intestinal wall tumors, diverticular disease, and dysregulation of intestinal motility. In infants and young children, intussusception manifests with four major clinical signs: abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stools, and a palpable abdominal mass. It is recommended to pay close attention to children's condition daily, and seek medical treatment promptly if any discomfort occurs.