Intussusception in children

Abstract

INTRODUCTION — Intussusception, the invagination of a part of the intestine into itself, is the most common abdominal emergency in early childhood, particularly in children younger than 2 years of age, and the second most common cause of intestinal obstruction after pyloric stenosis [1]. Intussusception is unusual in adults, and the diagnosis is commonly overlooked. In the majority of cases in adults, a pathologic cause is identified [2]. In contrast, the majority of cases in children are idiopathic.