ABSTRACT 841

Abstract

Background and aims: Intussusception is the most common cause of gastrointestinal obstruction and occurs between 3 and 12 months of age. Aims: To describe epidemiological and clinical features of intussusception in children who admitted to the emergency department. Methods: Patients with the diagnosis of intussusception admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department of Ege University Hospital within the period 2010–2013 were included. Demographical data, presenting symptoms, diagnostic tools, and mangement procedures were collected and analysed. Results: There were 94 children with 104 episodes of intussusceptions during the study period with a mean age of 26 months (SD = 22). Fourty episodes(38%) occured in children younger than 1 year (median, 8 months). The male: female ratio was 2.1: 1. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (89%), non-bilious vomiting (49%), bloody stools (40%). Around 40% of children diagnosed with intussusceptions had a concurrent infection. There was evidence of recent infection with enteric and non-enteric species of adenovirus (25%), and other virüs (23%). Ultrasonography was positive in 101 out of 104 episodes. Intussusceptions occured most often near the ileocecal junction(70%). There were 93 large and 11 small bowel intussusceptions. Success rate was 65.3% for hydrostatic reduction under ultrasonographic guidance. Spontan reduction and bowel resection rate was respectively 10.5% and 24.2%. The recurrence rate was 9.6% in our series. Conclusions: The varying age range of many children diagnosed with intussusceptions and the high incidence of intercurrent illnesses or recent infection in our study alert health professionals to suspect intussusceptions in children presenting with abdominal pain or vomiting.