Intussusception in children under 2 years old

Abstract

Intussusception (II) is a disorder characterized by the introduction of a portion of intestine distally. There is an association with certain enteric and upper airway infections, as adenovirus, enterovirus, and rotavirus. Objective: To characterize the clinical and epidemiological profile of the II in children under 2 years of age. Patients and Methods: This is a Descriptive cross sectional study of children less than 2 years of age with clinical suspicion of II admitted to the pediatric ward. A sample of 20 patients was obtained. Data were obtained from medical records, interview for parents or guardians and patients were followed up until discharge. Results: 60% were younger than 6 months, male-female ratio was 1.5-1,35% had some degree of malnutrition, 81% received two doses of rotavirus vaccine, the first symptom presented was in 40% of patients vomiting, diarrhea in 25% cases, 15% cases was bloody stools and 5% had abdominal distension 5% as the first sign; the clinical presentation prior to surgery included abdominal distension (30%) inconsolable crying or pain (25%), no intestinal movements (15%), fever and diarrhea (10%), vomiting and bloody stools (5%). In 70% of cases rectal examination was performed, in 5% of these a mass was felt in rectum and 25% had bloody exit. Laparotomy was performed in all cases; the main location wasileum-colon. Conclusion: The clinical presentation is atypical in infants with II, making it necessary to perform a thorough physical examination to detect characteristic clinical signs of the disease.
Keywords
Intussusception, laparotomy, vomiting, vaccination