Simplified predictive model for intussusception in children: combining radiographic and clinical features

To evaluate the utility of combining plain abdominal radiography findings with clinical symptoms for the primary screening of intussusception in children.

A total of 152 children aged < 16 years, who were admitted with suspected intussusception between April, 2008 and October, 2024, were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. We analyzed the demographic data, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and abdominal radiography results of all participants. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify significant predictors and assess the diagnostic performance, respectively.

Intussusception was diagnosed in 90 of the 152 patients. Vomiting (odds ratio [OR], 8.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1-32.2), intermittent pain (OR 9.8; 95% CI 2.3-41.4), and abdominal radiography positivity (OR 85.1; 95% CI 12.6-575.0) were identified as significant predictors. Abdominal radiography demonstrated a high sensitivity (97%) and negative predictive value (93%). In contrast, combining the three predictors improved the diagnostic specificity and positive predictive value to 95% and 91%, respectively. The combined predictors achieved an area under the curve of 0.92, indicating excellent diagnostic performance.

Combining abdominal radiography findings with clinical symptoms enhances the diagnostic accuracy of intussusception and provides a practical approach for primary screening.