Intussusception In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Intussusception is a condition where the bowel folds into itself. It may happen after your child has a nose, throat, or bowel infection that is caused by a virus. Sometimes, an overgrowth of tissues in the intestines may become the place where the intussusception starts. These overgrowths may include a Meckel diverticulum, lymphoma, or an intestinal polyp. Intussusception may also occur after your child has abdominal surgery. Your child may have cramping abdominal pain that comes and goes, or mucus-filled bloody bowel movements. A sausage-like lump in your child's belly may be seen or felt. Your child may also have vomiting which can lead to dehydration.
  
  
• Abdominal ultrasound, x-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used for diagnosis. An intussusception may unfold by itself, but more often caregivers must fix the bowel. Treatments to fix the bowel include using an air or barium enema, or surgery called a laparotomy. With treatment and care, your child's intussusception may be corrected and serious problems may be prevented.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your child's medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list and the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Give vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Ask before you change or stop giving your child his medicines.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.
  
  
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen: These medicines are given to decrease your child's pain and fever. They can be bought without a doctor's order. Ask how much medicine is safe to give your child, and how often to give it.

Ask for more information about where and when to take your child for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services for your child, ask for information.

Diet:

Unless your child's caregiver gives you special instructions, your child may eat his usual diet.

• Your child should eat a variety of healthy foods. This may include fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, fish, and lean meat, such as chicken. Eating healthy foods may help your child feel better and have more energy. It may also help him heal faster. Ask your child's caregiver if your child should follow a special diet.
  
  
• Infants who are breastfed should continue nursing. If your child is bottle-fed, ask caregivers for advice about feeding him. Learn what type of milk you should feed him, and when to increase the amount of milk.

Your child may need more rest than he realizes while he heals.

Quiet play will keep your child safely busy so he does not become restless and risk injuring himself. Have your child read or draw quietly. Follow instructions for how much rest your child should get while he heals.

For more information:

Accepting that your child has intussusception may be hard. You, your family, and those close to you may feel scared, sad, or angry. These are normal feelings. Talk to your child's caregivers, your family, or friends about your feelings. Contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1- 847 - 434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child's skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• You have any questions or concerns about your child's intussusception, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child has an abdominal pain, or is irritable, fussy, and crying more than usual.
  
  
• Your child is not able to eat or drink, or is urinating less or not at all.
  
  
• Your child looks very weak or sleeps more than the usual.
  
  
• Your child's bowel movement has blood in it or looks like red jelly.
  
  
• Your child's wound or bandage has pus or a bad smell even if you are cleaning it everyday.

Learn more about Intussusception In Children (Discharge Care)