Intussusception in the Neonate: A Case Study

Abstract

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants and toddlers; however, it is a rare entity in neonates. During intussusception, a proximal portion of the bowel pushes inside the adjacent, distal segment of the bowel in a telescoping fashion leading to obstruction, strangulation of the mesentery, ischemia, and necrosis. The etiology of intussusception is often unknown and there are currently no preventive techniques. Intussusception often mimics other common disease processes affecting neonates; this can result in detrimental delays in diagnosis and treatment. Intussusception is considered a surgical emergency and a delay in treatment results in significant morbidity and mortality. With proper education on this rare complication, neonatal nurses play a vital role in early diagnosis. To improve the care of neonates affected, it is imperative that intussusception remain a differential diagnosis for clinicians.

Neonatal small bowel perforation in ileal atresia in a low resource setting: A case report

“…As known, access to proper surgical care is still a huge challenge in developing countries as often are delayed before reaching the point of care. The mother to this baby came from 100 kilometer distance away already in a complicated state, distressed and hypoxic with probable increased intra-abdominal pressure secondary to the abdomen distension and bowel oedema (2,3). The cause of Perforation in this neonates was found to be secondary to a more distal obstruction and eventual perforation was caused by ileal atresia type I (5).…”

“…Its etiologies vary with necrotizing enterocolitis being the most common at 43.8%. Amongst others include Jejunoileal atresia which initially presents with intestinal obstruction, while toddlers and infants may have intussusception causing an intestinal obstruction as well but a rare phenomenon (2,3). A systematic review by Sebastian et al, the burden of intestinal atresia was at 54.9% in the studies of neonatal surgical conditions in Africa with highest mortality >50% in emergency neonatal surgery (4).…”

Neonatal small bowel perforation in ileal atresia in a low resource setting: A case report

“…The neonate was referred from a health center, 100-kilometer distance away already in a complicated state, distressed and hypoxic with probable increased intra-abdominal pressure secondary to the abdominal distension and bowel edema. 2,3 The cause of Perforation in these neonates was found to be secondary to a more distal obstruction, and eventual perforation was caused by ileal atresia type I. 5 The plain abdominal radiographic findings of dilated small bowel greatly supported a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction.…”

“…Among others include Jejunoileal atresia which initially presents with intestinal obstruction, while toddlers and infants may have intussusception causing an intestinal obstruction as well but a rare phenomenon. 2,3 A systematic review by Sebastian et al, the burden of intestinal atresia, was at 54.9% in the studies of neonatal surgical conditions in Africa with highest mortality >50% in emergency neonatal surgery. 4 In a retrospective review of babies who had laparotomy for jejunoileal atresia, 69.8% had ileal atresia and of those, 20.9% had type 1 atresia, and meconium peritonitis was in 43.3% of the cases and was considered to be secondary to perforation.…”

“…Its etiologies vary with necrotizing enterocolitis being the most common at 43.8%. Among others include Jejunoileal atresia which initially presents with intestinal obstruction, while toddlers and infants may have intussusception causing an intestinal obstruction as well but a rare phenomenon 2,3 . A systematic review by Sebastian et al, the burden of intestinal atresia, was at 54.9% in the studies of neonatal surgical conditions in Africa with highest mortality >50% in emergency neonatal surgery 4 .…”