Two infant deaths linked to intussusception without peritonitis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pathology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Intussusception is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants.
• Peritonitis is often associated with severe cases of intussusception.

Observation:

• Two infant deaths were investigated, with intussusception identified as a contributing factor in both cases.
• Neither infant showed clear evidence of peritonitis at autopsy.
• One infant experienced intussusception-induced ileus leading to aspiration of vomitus, identified as the cause of death.
• The second infant had autopsy evidence of intussusception at two sites, with likely aspiration of gastric mucus.

Findings:

• Death from intussusception without peritonitis is a viable postmortem interpretation in these cases.
• Comprehensive clinical history and autopsy findings are crucial for establishing the cause of death.
• Aspiration of vomitus, secondary to intussusception-induced ileus, was the immediate cause of death in one case.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering intussusception as a cause of death even in the absence of peritonitis.
• Emphasizes the role of aspiration of gastric contents as a potential fatal complication of intussusception.
• Underscores the necessity of detailed postmortem examination to elucidate the exact cause of death in infant mortality cases.