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Intussusception in preterm infants

K J Price1, N R Roberton, R G Pearse

  • 1Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|January 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Intussusception in preterm infants can mimic necrotising enterocolitis. Early consideration of intussusception is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment in neonates with these symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal surgery
  • Pediatric gastroenterology

Background:

  • Intussusception is a surgical emergency where one part of the intestine slides into another.
  • Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal condition affecting premature infants.

Observation:

  • Two preterm infants (26 and 30 weeks gestation) presented with abdominal distension, feeding intolerance, and rectal bleeding.
  • Initial diagnosis was necrotising enterocolitis, leading to delayed diagnosis of intussusception.

Findings:

  • Presenting signs and symptoms of neonatal intussusception can overlap significantly with those of necrotising enterocolitis.
  • Medical management for suspected NEC can delay the diagnosis of intussusception.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider intussusception in the differential diagnosis of preterm infants presenting with symptoms suggestive of necrotising enterocolitis.
  • Prompt recognition and diagnosis of intussusception are vital to prevent complications in preterm neonates.

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