Question
My son is 5 weeks old and has already had three episodes of intussusception. The first was when he was about 8 months old, the second around 1 year old, and the third just recently at the age of 5 weeks. What is intussusception?
Answer
Intussusception is a condition where a segment of the intestine telescopes into the lumen of an adjacent part of the intestine. It is one of the most common types of acute intestinal obstruction in infants. The most common site is where the ileum telescopes into the wider cecum. The occurrence of intussusception is related to factors such as differences in intestinal orifice diameter, intestinal wall tumors, diverticulosis, and irregularities in intestinal peristalsis. Clinically, infantile intussusception is mainly manifested by abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody stools, and abdominal swelling. It is recommended to pay close attention to your child’s condition in daily life and seek medical treatment as soon as possible if any discomfort occurs.