Exploring the Infectious Contribution to Intussusception Causality Using the Effects of COVID-19 Lockdowns in...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric gastroenterology
• Epidemiology
• Public health

Background:

• Intussusception is a leading cause of bowel obstruction in infants.
• Viral infections are implicated in idiopathic intussusception.
• COVID-19 measures reduced communicable diseases, impacting intussusception rates unexpectedly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between COVID-19 lockdown periods and pediatric intussusception frequency.
• To quantify the reduction in intussusception admissions during lockdowns.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, multistate ecological study over 12 years.
• Analyzed monthly intussusception admissions (ICD-10 K56.1) from New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
• Compared admission counts during lockdown vs. non-lockdown periods.

Main Results:

• Significant negative association found between intussusception frequency and lockdown periods.
• Victoria saw a 62.7% reduction; New South Wales had a 40.1% reduction in <2-year-olds.
• Reductions were consistent across regional and metropolitan areas.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 lockdowns led to substantial decreases in pediatric intussusception admissions.
• The magnitude of reduction implies infectious causes of idiopathic intussusception are underestimated.
• Further research into infectious etiologies of intussusception is warranted.