Miscellaneous Causes of Intestinal Obstruction

Abstract

Several pathologic processes can lead to bowel obstruction in infants and children. Some of the specific pathologic processes have been discussed elsewhere. Bowel obstruction could be divided into acute or chronic bowel obstruction and partial or complete bowel obstruction. Postoperative adhesion, sigmoid volvulus, parasitic infestation by Ascaris, foreign bodies, and internal herniation are important pathologic processes causing bowel obstruction in children. Intestinal obstruction should be suspected in any child with abdominal pain, irritability, persistent vomiting, abdominal distension, and constipation. A high index of suspicion is the key to diagnosis of rarer causes of intestinal obstruction in children, especially in Africa. Undiagnosed or improperly managed obstructions can progress to vascular compromise, leading to bowel ischemia, necrosis, perforation, sepsis, and eventually death of the child. In difficult cases, simple investigations like plain abdominal films and stool examination for ova of parasites should be carried out early.