Intestinal intussusception is a severe issue found in children under 2. It’s a top abdominal emergency among them. Symptoms can include a lot of pain in the stomach, the stomach might get bigger, vomiting, and even seeing blood in the stool. This happens when one part of the intestine slides into another, making a blockage. It might need surgery or could be treated with an enema. Lately, using stem cells to treat this has become a hopeful choice over surgery.
Key Takeaways:
- It mostly affects kids under 2 and is a common emergency for them.
- The symptoms include intense stomach pain, a bigger stomach, throwing up, and blood in poop.
- This happens when an intestine part folds into itself, blocking the way.
- It could be treated by removing the blockage through surgery or without surgery through an enema.
- Stem cell therapy shows hope as a different way to treat this condition instead of surgery.
Causes and Risk Factors of Intussusception
Intussusception is a serious condition mainly seen in kids under 2. It’s unclear what causes it, but we know some things that make it more likely.
In children, intussusception usually happens in the ileocecal area. This means a part of the small intestine folds into the large intestine. Adults who get intussusception often have an issue like a tumor blocking their intestine.
If there’s no clear reason for intussusception, we call it idiopathic. Babies get it most often this way. But older kids might have it because of something called a Meckel’s diverticulum.
Intussusception isn’t common, affecting about 1 in 1,200 kids. More boys get it than girls.
Risk Factors for Intussusception
| Age Group | Most Common Type | Possible Lead Points | Prevalence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children ( | Ileocecal | Meckel’s diverticulum | 1 in 1,200 |
| Adults | Tumor-related | Lipoma, colonic polyp, malignant tumor | Rare |
It’s important to know what might cause and increase the risk of intussusception. This helps doctors find and treat it quickly.
Image: The picture shows how the intestines might fold into each other in intussusception.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Intussusception
Intussusception may show different symptoms. The main one is severe belly pain. It happens all of a sudden. This pain comes and goes and might come with throwing up. Bloody stools may also appear, showing possible internal bleeding. In serious cases, kids may seem dehydrated with a dry mouth and less urine.
To diagnose intussusception, doctors will first do a medical examination. They will hear about the symptoms and check the belly for swelling or tenderness. They look at how bad the belly pain is too.
Imaging tests are key in confirming intussusception. Doctors mainly use:
- Abdominal ultrasound gives live images with sound waves. It shows the sliding of one part of the intestine into another. This method is safe and liked for diagnosing kids.
- Abdominal X-rays might show signs of a blockage. But X-rays by themselves can’t confirm intussusception. They’re usually used with other tests.
- Barium studies use a special liquid that moves through the gut. X-rays then show where the problem is in the intestine.
These tests help doctors pinpoint the issue and spot any complications. With a clear diagnosis, they can decide on the best treatment.
Advances in Stem Cell Therapy for Intussusception Treatment
In the last few years, medicine has seen big steps in treating intussusception. Surgical methods have always been key. But now, research into stem cell therapy is showing promise for intussusception patients.
Simple fixes like enema with gas or saline sometimes work. Yet, if these treatments don’t help or if the case is severe, surgery is the only option. But now, experts are looking into the possible benefits of stem cell therapy, especially using a patient’s own stem cells.
This new way of treatment is very hopeful, especially for those who had many health issues before. By using the patient’s own stem cells, it looks to become a better and less harsh option. Doctors hope this will make treatments better and help patients live a better life.