Childhood intussusceptions at a tertiary care hospital in northwestern Tanzania: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in resource-limited setting

Clinical presentation and management outcome of pediatric intussusception at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: a retrospective cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the pattern of clinical presentations and factors associated with the management outcome of pediatric intussusception among children treated at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study included the medical records of 103 children treated for intussusception from 2018 to 2020. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

RESULTS

In total, 84 (81.6%) patients were released with a favorable outcome. Ileocolic intussusception was a positive predictor, with a nine-fold higher likelihood of a favorable outcome than other types of intussusception [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 9.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.39-21.2]. Additionally, a favorable outcome was three times more likely in patients who did than did not undergo manual reduction (AOR, 3.08; 95% CI, 3.05-5.48). Patients aged <1 year were 96% less likely to have a positive outcome than those aged >4 years (AOR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.03-0.57).

CONCLUSION

Most patients were discharged with favorable outcomes. Having ileocolic intussusception and undergoing manual reduction were associated with significantly more favorable outcomes of pediatric intussusception. Therefore, nonsurgical management such as hydrostatic enema and pneumatic reduction is recommended to reduce hospital discharge of patients with unfavorable outcomes.

Trends in childhood intussusception in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background

Early presentation, high rate of successful non-operative treatment, low morbidity and mortality in childhood intussusception is common in High and Upper Middle-Income Countries but not in many Lower middle- and Low-income countries.

Aim

To assess the trends in the profile, treatment modalities and outcomes of intussusception in our hospital.

Materials and methods

Retrospective study over a 12-year period divided into two 6-year periods. Data entry/analysis was done using SPSS and various indices were compared between these two periods. Two-tailed t-test for two independent means was used to compare means while two-tailed Fisher exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Results were presented as tables, means, ranges, percentages and a p-value less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.

Results

There was a significant increase in the proportion of successful non-operative treatment (18.6% vs 34%, p=0.03), reduction in the incidence of operative manual reduction (27.1% vs 12.8%; p=0.026), reduction in operative treatment (78.5% vs 63.9%, p=0.034), increased utilization of pre-intervention ultrasound (75% vs96.7%, p<0.0001) and reduction in hospital stay duration (10.47 ±7.95days vs 7.24±4.86 days; p=0.004).

Conclusions

Contribution of successful non-operative treatment to the overall treatment of intussusception significantly increased while that of operative manual reduction significantly reduced and bowel resection showed no change. Preoperative utilization of ultrasonography significantly increased while mean duration of admission reduced significantly, but late presentation, morbidity and mortality rates had no significant changes.

A Study of Predictors of Failure of Nonoperative Management of Ileocolic Intussusception in Children

BACKGROUND

Surgery remains the mainstay in treating intussusception in developing nations. A correspondingly high bowel resection rate exists despite a shift to nonoperative reduction in high-income countries. We aimed to study the clinical profile of the patients with intussusception presenting to our hospital and to assess the clinical and radiological predictors of success or failure of nonoperative management of intussusception.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery over a period of 3 years and included a total of 118 patients who presenting to our emergency division with features suggestive of intussusception and were managed accordingly either with hydrostatic reduction or by surgical intervention.

RESULTS

We observed that the majority of the patients were males (65.5%). The mean age was 13.54 months. Intermittent pain was the most common symptom. Both pain and vomiting did not affect the outcome. Lab parameters like raised total leukocyte counts (TLC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate levels were significantly associated with failure of hydrostatic reduction. Patients with air fluid levels on X-ray were more likely to end up in surgery. Ultrasound findings of bowel wall edema, aperistaltic gut loops and a pathological lead point was associated with failure of hydrostatic reduction as well. The overall success rate of hydrostatic reduction was 85.5%.

CONCLUSION

Hydrostatic reduction of intussusception is a safe and effective method of management of intussusception whenever indicated. Factors that might reduce the chance of its success include continuous pain, irritability, tenderness, deranged lab parameters like TLC, CRP and lactate levels, air fluid levels on X-ray, bowel wall edema, aperistalsis and the presence of a lead point.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Shah JY, Banday I, Hamdani HZ, et al. A Study of Predictors of Failure of Nonoperative Management of Ileocolic Intussusception in Children. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2024;14(1):81-85.

Intussusception and COVID-19 in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Intussusception (ISN) post-COVID-19 infection in children is rare but can occur. SARS-CoV-2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of ISN and trigger immune activation and mesenteric adenitis, which predispose peristaltic activity to “telescope” a proximal bowel segment into the distal bowel lumen. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ISN children and analyze the demographic parameters, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in ISN pediatric patients with COVID-19 illness. Methods: We performed this systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Studies reporting on the incidence of ISN post-SARS-CoV-2 infection in children, published from 1 December 2019 until 1 October 2022, in PROQUEST, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, CINAHL, WILEY ONLINE LIBRARY, SCOPUS and NATURE, with a restriction to articles available in the English language, were included. Results: Of the 169 papers that were identified, 34 articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis (28 case report, 5 cohort and 1 case-series studies). Studies involving 64 ISN patients with confirmed COVID-19 (all patients were children) were analyzed. The overall pooled proportions of the ISN patients who had PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was 0.06% (95% CI 0.03 to 0.09, n = 1790, four studies, I2 0%, p = 0.64), while 0.07% (95% CI 0.03 to 0.12, n = 1552, three studies, I2 0%, p = 0.47) had success to ISN pneumatic, hydrostatic and surgical reduction treatment and 0.04% (95% CI 0.00 to 0.09, n = 923, two studies, I2 0%, p = 0.97) had failure to ISN pneumatic, hydrostatic and surgical reduction treatment. The median patient age ranged from 1 to 132 months across studies, and most of the patients were in the 1−12 month age group (n = 32, 50%), p = 0.001. The majority of the patients were male (n = 41, 64.1%, p = 0.000) and belonged to White (Caucasian) (n = 25, 39.1%), Hispanic (n = 13, 20.3%) and Asian (n = 5, 7.8%) ethnicity, p = 0.000. The reported ISN classifications by location were mostly ileocolic (n = 35, 54.7%), and few children experienced ileo-ileal ISN (n = 4, 6.2%), p = 0.001. The most common symptoms from ISN were vomiting (n = 36, 56.2%), abdominal pain (n = 29, 45.3%), red currant jelly stools (n = 25, 39.1%) and blood in stool (n = 15, 23.4%). Half of the patients never had any medical comorbidities (n = 32, 50%), p = 0.036. The approaches and treatments commonly used to manage ISN included surgical reduction of the ISN (n = 17, 26.6%), pneumatic reduction of the ISN (n = 13, 20.2%), antibiotics (n = 12, 18.7%), hydrostatic reduction of the ISN (n = 11, 17.2%), laparotomy (n = 10, 15.6%), intravenous fluids (n = 8, 12.5%) and surgical resection (n = 5, 7.8%), p = 0.051. ISN was recurrent in two cases only (n = 2, 3.1%). The patients experienced failure to pneumatic (n = 7, 10.9%), hydrostatic (n = 6, 9.4%) and surgical (n = 1, 1.5%) ISN treatment, p = 0.002. The odds ratios of death were significantly higher in patients with a female gender (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.31−0.79, p = 0.045), Asian ethnicity (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.28−0.48, p < 0.001), failure to pneumatic or surgical ISN reduction treatment (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.05−0.21, p = 0.036), admission to ICU (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.83−1.18, p = 0.03), intubation and placement of mechanical ventilation (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51−1.41, p = 0.01) or suffering from ARDS (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.93−1.88, p = 0.01) compared to those who survived. Conclusion: Children with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at low risk to develop ISN. A female gender, Asian ethnicity, failure to ISN reduction treatment (pneumatic or surgical), admission to ICU, mechanical ventilation and suffering from ARDS were significantly associated with death following ISN in pediatric COVID-19 patients.

Intussusception in preterm neonates: A systematic review of a rare condition

Background

While necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a prevalent condition in preterm neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), intussusception is exceedingly uncommon and often overlooked. This is due to the fact that they share many clinical characteristics. The initial misdiagnosis of intussusception in preterm neonates (IPN) especially has led to a delay in their management, which increases the risk of developing compromised bowel. Additionally, it is difficult to reach a diagnosis as neonatal intussusception does not have any classical radiological signs even when contrast enema is used. This systematic review is based on the published literature including case reports and case series to review the clinical features of IPN and how to differentiate it from NEC in order to shed the light on this rare disease and how having a high index of suspicion would help practitioners to make an early and accurate diagnosis

Methods

A systematic literature search to report all cases of relevant articles that reported IPN till date. All cases that were born before 37 weeks gestational age, presented within the neonatal period and having well established documentation were included in the study. Any case that did not have these criteria was excluded from our study.

Results

Only 52 cases met these criteria during the period from 1963 till date. An average of 10 days had elapsed before the cases were confirmed to have IPN either clinically or intraoperatively. The most frequent manifestations were abdominal distension and bilious gastric residuals, occurring in 85% and 77% of the cases respectively, followed by bloody stools in 43% of cases. However, this triad was present only in approximately one-third of the cases. Only 13 cases were diagnosed as having intussusception preoperatively. About two thirds of the intussusception were located in the ileum. Pathological lead point was present in 7 cases only; 4 of them were due to Meckel’s diverticulum. Nine cases only out of the 52 cases with IPN died.

Conclusion

It is crucial to detect the clues for diagnosis of intussusception because in contrast to NEC, it is unresponsive to conservative management, affects the viability of the bowel and surgery is essential.

Age distribution and mortality associated with intussusception in children under two years of age in nine sentinel surveillance hospitals in Zambia, 2007-2018

Introduction

recipients of monovalent rotavirus vaccine have a low risk of developing intussusception (IS) in high- to medium-high-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, Zambia included, this risk of IS has not been assessed. Two-dose monovalent rotavirus vaccine, introduced in Zambia in 2012 in the capital of Lusaka, and rolled out countrywide in 2013, is administered at 6 and 10 weeks of age with no catch-up dose. Active IS surveillance monitoring in children < 2 years has been ongoing in Zambia since July 2009 and additional retrospective review was conducted from 2007- June 2009.

Methods

retrospective review (January 2007-June 2009) and prospective (July 2009-December 2018) IS surveillance was conducted at nine hospitals and four large paediatric hospital departments in Zambia, respectively. Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical folder abstraction and supplemented by parental interview during prospective surveillance.

Results

a total of 248 children < 2 years with IS were identified; 57.3% were male. Most cases with IS were infants (85.5%). IS admissions remained stable during the surveillance period with no seasonality pattern although an increase in cases occurred between August and October, hot dry season. The median time from symptom onset to presentation for treatment was 2 days and 63.6% (154/242) of IS diagnoses were made during surgery. The bowel resection rate was 46.6%. A high CFR of 23.3% was observed.

Conclusion

the number of intussusception cases in Zambia was relatively small and remained stable over the 12-year study period. However, a high CFR was observed among cases.

Intussusception among infants in Tanzania: findings from prospective hospital-based surveillance, 2013-2016

Introduction

intussusception surveillance was initiated in Tanzania in 2013 after monovalent rotavirus vaccine was introduced, as part of the 7-country African evaluation to assess whether the vaccine was associated with an increased risk of intussusception. An increased risk from vaccine was not identified. Published data on intussusception in Tanzanian infants are limited.

Methods

prospective intussusception surveillance was conducted at 7 referral hospitals during 2013-2016 to identify all infants with intussusception meeting Brighton Level 1 criteria. Demographic, household and clinical data were collected by hospital clinicians and analyzed.

Results

a total of 207 intussusception cases were identified. The median age of cases was 5.8 months and nearly three-quarters were aged 4-7 months. Median number of days from symptom onset to admission at treatment hospital was 3 (IQR 2-5). Seventy-eight percent (152/195) of cases had been admitted at another hospital before transfer to the treating hospital. Enema reduction was not available; all infants were treated surgically and 55% (114/207) had intestinal resection. The overall case-fatality rate was 30% (62/206). Compared with infants who survived, those who died had longer duration of symptoms before admission to treatment hospital (median 4 vs 3 days; p < 0.01), higher rate of intestinal resection (81% [60/82] vs 44% [64/144], p < 0.001), and from families with lower incomes (i.e., less likely to own a television [p < 0.01] and refrigerator [p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Tanzanian infants who develop intussusception have a high case-fatality rate. Raising the index of suspicion among healthcare providers, allocating resources to allow wider availability of abdominal ultrasound for earlier diagnosis, and training teams in ultrasound-guided enema reduction techniques used in other African countries could reduce the fatality rate.

Intussusception in children under five years of age in Enugu, Nigeria

Introduction

intussusception is the invagination of a segment of the bowel into a distal segment. It occurs predominantly in infants worldwide. Following documentation of increased incidence after introduction of the first rotavirus vaccine (Rotashield, Wyeth-Lederle), it has become a standard recommendation to maintain surveillance for intussusception as newer rotavirus vaccines are introduced into EPI. Nigeria plans to introduce rotavirus vaccine in 2020. Pre-vaccine introduction surveillance will serve as a baseline to understand the epidemiology of intussusception in Nigeria.

Methods

from 2013 to 2017, prospective enrolment of under five children with intussusception was done following the WHO protocol and using the WHO case report form. Only children who met the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) protocol case definition for intussusception were enrolled. These children were monitored until discharge or death. Clinical features and outcome were recorded in the case report form.

Results

a total of 63 cases were enrolled, with age range of 3 to 42 months (median: 6 months, IQR: 5-9 months). Majority were within 4-6 months and 96% were < 12 months old. There were 41 males and 22 females (male to female ratio of 1.9:1). Duration of symptoms before presentation ranged from 2 hours to 15 days (median: 72 hours). Fifty-seven patients had abdominal ultrasound and 52 patients (83%) had surgery. Case fatality rate was 9% and duration of hospitalization ranged from 1 to 30 days (median 10 days, IQR 8-15 days).

Conclusion

intussusception occurred most commonly in infants but well beyond the proposed age for rotavirus vaccination in the population studied. Late presentation and surgical intervention were common. This data provides a good baseline description of the epidemiology of intussusception.

Epidemiology of intussusception among infants in Ethiopia, 2013-2016

INTRODUCTION

intussusception is a condition in which one segment of the bowel prolapses into another causing obstruction. Information on the epidemiology of intussusception in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. We describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of children with intussusception in Ethiopia.

METHODS

active surveillance for children < 12 months of age with intussusception was conducted at six sentinel hospitals in Ethiopia. Limited socio-economic and clinical data were collected from enrolled children. Characteristics among children who died and children who survived were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and Chi-square tests for categorical variables.

RESULTS

total of 164 children < 12 months of age with intussusception were enrolled; 62% were male. The median age at symptom onset was 6 months with only 12 (7%) of cases occurring in the first 3 months of life. Intussusception was reduced by surgery in 90% of cases and 10% were reduced by enema; 13% of cases died. Compared to survivors, children who died had a significantly longer time to presentation to the first health care facility and to the treating health care facility (median 3 days versus 2 days, p = 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSION

the high mortality rate, late presentation of intussusception cases, and lack of modalities for non-surgical management at some facilities highlight the need for better management of intussusception cases in Ethiopia.

Childhood intussusception: Correlation between ultrasound reports and intra-operative findings

Background:

Intussusception, a common cause of intestinal obstruction in children, is usually diagnosed through ultrasound scan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the ultrasound report and intra-operating findings in children who had laparotomy for intussusception.

Materials and methods:

This was a retrospective study of children aged 12 months and below who had laparotomy for intussusception between January 2017–December 2019 at the pediatric surgery unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria. Findings at ultrasound and findings at surgery were statistically compared.

Results:

A total of 103 cases of intussusceptions were seen during the study period. Out of this number, 69 patients were treated by laparotomy and formed the basis of this report. There was male predominance and the median age of the patients was 8 months. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom. At presentation, about one-quarter of the patients were anemic while one-half of the patients had electrolyte derangement. Comparing the findings at ultrasound and findings at surgery, ultrasound was found to have an accuracy of 89.9%. Approximately, equal number of patients had manual reduction and bowel resection. Surgical site infection was the most common post-operative complication and mortality occurred in 8 (11.6%) patients.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound has high accuracy rate and is quite reliable for the diagnosis of intussusception.

Hydrostatic reduction of intussusception in children: a single centre experience

Introduction

intussusception is a common surgical emergency in children especially in infants. Treatment of intussusception could be non-operative or operative. Non-operative treatment (hydrostatic reduction) of intussusception is increasingly being practiced in developing countries.

Methods

this was a review of our experience in the hydrostatic reduction of intussusception in children at a teaching hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. This study covered an 18-months period, October 2017 to March 2019. Patients on presentation were resuscitated, appropriate investigations done and prepared for surgery before the hydrostatic reduction (using normal saline) was carried out. Patients with features of peritonitis and marked abdominal distension were excluded from hydrostatic reduction.

Results

twenty patients who had 21 episodes of intussusception were analyzed. One patient had a recurrence that necessitated repeat hydrostatic reduction. Eighty percent of the patients were male. The mean and peak age of the patients was 8 months and 6 months respectively. Significant number of the patients presented after 48 hours of onset of their symptoms. Abdominal pain was the predominant presenting symptom. Twenty percent and fifteen percent of the patients had a history of preceding gastrointestinal and respiratory infections preceding the intussusception respectively. Ileocolic intussusception was the most common type and the most distal end of the intussusception was at the transverse colon. Hydrostatic reduction was successful in 13 patients (65%).

Conclusion

hydrostatic reduction is a simple and effective method of treatment of intussusception. However, early presentation and proper patient selection is necessary for optimal outcome.

Prospective surveillance for intussusception in Indian children aged under two years at nineteen tertiary care hospitals

Background

India introduced rotavirus vaccines (RVV, monovalent, Rotavac™ and pentavalent, Rotasiil™) in April 2016 with 6, 10 and 14 weeks schedule and expanded countrywide in phases. We describe the epidemiology of intussusception among children aged 2–23 months in India.

Methods

The prospective surveillance at 19 nationally representative sentinel hospitals from four regions recruited children with intussusception from April 2016 to September 2017. Data on sociodemography, immunization, clinical, treatment and outcome were collected. Along with descriptive analysis, key parameters between four regions were compared using Chi-Square/Fisher’s exact/Mann–Whitney U/Kruskal-Wallis tests. The pre- and post-RVV periods were compared to estimate the risk ratios.

Results

Six hundred twenty-one children with intussusception from South (n = 262), East (n = 190), North (n = 136) and West (n = 33) regions were recruited. Majority (n = 465, 74.8%) were infants (40.0% aged 4–7 months) with median age 8 months (IQR 5, 13 months), predominantly males (n = 408, 65.7%) and half (n = 311, 50.0%) occurred during March–June months. A shorter interval between weaning and intussusception was observed for ragi based food (median 1 month, IQR 0–4.2 months) compared to rice (median 4 months, IQR 1–9 months) and wheat (median 3 months, IQR 1–7 months) based food (p < 0.01). Abdominal pain or excessive crying (82.8%), vomiting (72.6%), and bloody stool (58.1%) were the leading symptoms. Classical triad (abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody stool) was observed in 34.8% cases (24.4 to 45.8% across regions). 95.3% of the cases were diagnosed by ultrasound. 49.3% (10.5 to 82.4% across regions) cases were managed by reduction, 39.5% (11.5 to 71.1% across regions) cases underwent surgery and 11.1% spontaneously resolved. Eleven (1.8%) cases died. 89.1% cases met Brighton criteria level 1 and 7.6% met Level 2. RVV was received by 12 cases within 1–21 days prior to intussusception. No increase in case load (RR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.22–1.18) or case ratio (RR = 0.5; 95% CI 0.3–1.2) was observed after RVV introduction in select sites.

Conclusions

Intussusception cases were observed across all sites, although there were variations in cases, presentation and mode of management. The high case load age coincided with age of the RVV third dose. The association with ragi based weaning food in intussusception needs further evaluation.

Clinical predictors and outcome of bowel resection in paediatric intussusception

Introduction

Surgery remains the mainstay in treating intussusception in developing countries, with a correspondingly high bowel resection rate despite a shift to non-operative reduction in high-income countries.

Objective

To assess factors associated with bowel resection and the outcomes of resection in childhood intussusception.

Methods

A review of children with intussusception between January 2006 and December 2015 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The patients were categorized based on the need for bowel resection and analysis done using the SPSS version 23.

Results

121 children were managed for intussusception during this period. 53 (43.8%) had bowel resection, 61 (50.4%) did not require resection and 7 (5.8%) were unknown. 40 (75.5%) of the resections were right hemi-colectomy. The presence of fever, abdominal pain, distension, rectal mass, age < 12 months, heart rate > 145/min and duration of symptoms > 2 days were associated with the need for bowel resection (p < 0.05). However, only age and abdominal pain independently predicted need for resection. Bowel resection was more associated with development of post-operative complications and prolonged hospital stay (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Infants presenting with abdominal pain and abdominal distension after two days of onset of symptoms were more likely to require bowel resection. Resection in intussusception significantly increased post-operative complications and length of hospital stay.

Risk Factors Associated With Increased Mortality From Intussusception in African Infants

OBJECTIVES

Morbidity and mortality from intussusception, the leading cause of bowel obstruction in infants, is higher in Africa than in other regions of the world, but the reasons have not been well examined. We sought to identify risk and protective factors associated with death or intestinal resection following intussusception.

METHODS

Infants with intussusception from 7 sub-Saharan African countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) were enrolled through active, hospital-based surveillance from February 2012 to December 2016. We examined demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors associated with death or intestinal resection following intussusception, using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 1017 infants <1 year of age with intussusception were enrolled. Overall, 13% of children (133/1017) died during the hospitalization, and 48% (467/966) required intestinal resection. In multivariable analyses, female sex [odds ratio (OR) 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-3.3], longer duration of symptoms before presentation (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0-1.2), and undergoing intestinal resection (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.9-6.1) were associated with death after intussusception. Diagnosis by ultrasound or enema (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.3-0.7), and employment of a household member (OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.4-1.0) were protective against intestinal resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Delays in hospital presentation and female sex were significantly associated with death, whereas higher socioeconomic status and availability of radiologic diagnosis reduced likelihood of undergoing resection. Efforts should be intensified to improve the awareness, diagnosis, and management of intussusception in sub-Saharan African countries to reduce morbidity and mortality from intussusception in these resource-limited settings.

Perforated gangrenous ileo-colic intussusception in a 9 month old Nigerian infant presenting at a private hospital: A case report

•

The current case presented late with complication of gangrene and perforation because it was first managed as a case of gastroenteritis.

•

Gastroenteritis is among the various differential diagnosis of intussusception a high index of suspicion is required for timely diagnosis.

•

Being available, cheap and free of radiation, using ultrasound more often in infants can aid diagnosis.

Introduction

Intussusception is the process of invagination of a bowel segment into the adjoining intestinal lumen which may cause bowel obstruction and gangrene. It commonly occurs in infants at a mean age of 9-months with male preponderance. The condition has excellent prognosis if diagnosis is made early and appropriate treatment commenced and mortality rate from intussusception in children can be less than 1%. However, if diagnosis or treatments are delayed it can be fatal in a few days.

Presentation of case

We present a case of Ileo-colic perforated ileum due to delayed diagnosis. It was initially misdiagnosed as gastroenteritis at another hospital. The infant was resuscitated with intravenous fluid and had laparotomy. A signed consent was obtained before the surgery and media consent was signed for publication. A gangrenous terminal ileum was resected and ileo-colic anastomosis was done. Post-operative course was uncomplicated and the patient was discharged after 5days.

Discussion

The index case presented late with complication of gangrene and perforation because it was first managed as a case of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is among the various differential diagnosis of intussusception. Complications have been reported to increase numbers of surgical treatment and sometimes mortality, but rarely occur with good diagnostic acumen.

Conclusion

We conclude that high clinical suspicion, interaction with senior surgeons and regular use of ultrasound in infants with gastrointestinal symptoms will aid diagnosis. Although surgery was performed in the index case, non-surgical reduction is a very efficient treatment modality in uncomplicated cases.

High prevalence of obesity among infants presenting with intussusception: Findings in an Egyptian cohort

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Intussusception is a life-threatening illness, with incompletely understood aetiology, although some predisposing factors are known. Intussusception frequently occurs in well-nourished chubby infants. We aimed to determine whether patients presenting with intussusception have a high prevalence of obesity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross sectional study was conducted in 100 infants presenting with intussusception aged ≤2 years at the Paediatric Surgery Department. Anthropometric measures, history of recent upper respiratory tract infection, timing and type of intervention were recorded. A near median split divided the population into younger (aged < 8 months, N = 47) and older (8-24 months, N = 53) groups. Obesity was defined as having a body weight for length ≥ 97.7th centile on WHO growth charts.

RESULTS

The study comprised 58 boys and 42 girls, 31% of whom had upper respiratory infection in the preceding month. Obesity was present in 18% of patients, based on WHO growth charts. There was a trend towards higher percentage of obese infants within the younger (25%) compared to older age groups (12%, P = 0.085), but no gender difference. Obesity did not influence the rate of success of hydrostatic reduction. Based on Egypt-specific growth charts, the percentage of infants with a weight-for-age centile ≥ 85th was 42%, of whom 7% were ≥ 97.7th centile. The corresponding percentages for the weight-for-length were 29% and 15% of patients respectively.

CONCLUSION

There is a high prevalence of obesity in infants presenting with intussusception, particularly under 8 months of age. The mechanistic link between obesity and the pathogenesis of intussusception deserves investigation.

The Burden and Outcomes of Abdominal Pain among Children Presenting to an Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania: A Descriptive Cohort Study

Background

Abdominal pain in children can represent benign conditions or life-threatening emergencies. Aetiologies of paediatric abdominal pain vary geographically and have not been studied in acute care settings in East Africa. This study describes the clinical profiles and outcomes of children presenting with undifferentiated abdominal pain to the Emergency Department of Muhimbili National Hospital (ED-MNH).

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of children below 18 years of age presenting to the ED-MNH with abdominal pain. A structured case report form was used to collect data on patients from June to December 2016. Data included demographics, clinical presentation, and mortality. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics.

Results

Out of 1855 children who presented to ED-MNH, 184 (9.9%) met inclusion criteria, and all were enrolled. The median age was 3.5 years (IQR: 1.3–7.0 years) and 124 (67.4%) were male. Most (138 [75.0%]) were referred from peripheral hospitals. The most frequent ED providers' diagnoses were hernia (34 [18.5%]) and intra-abdominal malignancy (19 [10.3%]). From the ED, 37 (20.1%) were discharged home, 83 (45.1%) were admitted to medical wards, and 48 (26.1%) were admitted to surgical wards. 16 (8.7%) underwent an operation. 24-hour, seven-day, and three-month mortality rates were 1.1%, 6.5%, and 14.5%, respectively. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 12.2%. Multivariate analysis showed that age below 5 years, female sex, and haemoglobin less than 10.9 g/dl were significant factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

Discussion and Conclusion

Abdominal pain is a common complaint among paediatric patients presenting to the ED-MNH. This presentation was associated with a high admission rate and a high mortality rate. Age below 5 years, female sex, and haemoglobin less than 10.9 g/dl were associated with mortality. Further studies and quality improvement efforts should focus on identifying aetiologies, risk stratification, and appropriate interventions to optimise patients outcomes.

Delayed diagnosis of transanal prolapse of an ileo-colic intussusception in a 10-month-old infant in rural Cameroon: a case report

Background

Transanal protrusion of intussusception is a complication of intussusception which involves the exteriorization of the apex of the intussusceptum through the anus. However, it is rarely reported and its confusion with rectal prolapse often leads to a diagnostic delay.

Case presentation

A 10-month-old female with no significant past history from a rural area in the Extreme North region of Cameroon  was referred from a local health centre to our emergency deparment for an irreducible mass. It was reported that the child had spent 5 days at home on over-the-counter medication, then 3 days at a health centre where she was being treated for a respiratory tract infection and a rectal prolapse. On arrival at our hospital, she was conscious and moderately dehydrated. Cardiopulmonary examination revealed generalized coarse crackles over both lung fields. Her abdomen was tender, with a left upper quadrant mass, absent bowel sounds and a dark anal mass. In view of these, diagnoses of bronchopneumonia, intestinal obstruction and a probable rectal prolapse were made. An exploratory laparotomy was carried out after resuscitation with per-operative findings of a prolapsed ileo- colic intussusception and a necrosed intussusceptum. The necrosed portion was resected and an end-to-end ileo-transverse anastomosis was carried out. The immediate post- operative period was uneventful, but the patient died 3 days after the surgery, from an overwhelming sepsis.

Conclusions

Transanal protrusion of intussusception requires timely surgical intervention to prevent mortality. The similarity in presentation to rectal prolapse coupled with inadequate knowledge on the condition by primary healthcare personnel causes a delay in the diagnosis and an increased mortality. A high index of suspicion is essential for an early diagnosis and an improved referral system for timely and definitive treatment.

Intussusception caused by heterotopic gastric mucosa in small intestine: a case report

Background

Intestinal intussusception is the most frequent cause of small bowel obstruction in children between the ages of 2 months and 5 years and often remains idiopathic in etiology, even after surgery. On microscopic examination, in intussusception normal mucosa is noted but in a few cases heterotopic tissue can be seen. Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the small intestine is extremely rare except for its occurrence in remnants of Meckel’s diverticulum. In view of the rarity of this condition, we report a case of ectopic gastric mucosa in the small intestine that was not associated with remnants of vitelline duct.

Case presentation

A 6-year-old boy of Indo-Aryan ethnicity from India presented with episodes of acute abdominal pain and distension with vomiting and non-passage of stools. On ultrasonography intussusception was suspected. A laparotomy was done and the ileal segment (tip of intussusception) was sent for histopathological examination. On histopathology, sections from the tip of intussusception showed extensive gastric metaplasia of the mucosa.

Conclusions

A definitive diagnosis of heterotopic gastric mucosa is established by histopathological examination and it is important to differentiate heterotopia, which is a developmental anomaly, from metaplasia, which is an acquired condition. Heterotopic gastric mucosa is usually clinically silent and surgical intervention can be considered in patients with complications such as gastrointestinal hemorrhage and intestinal obstruction.

Review of Naturally Occurring Intussusception in Young Children in the WHO African Region prior to the Era of Rotavirus Vaccine Utilization in the Expanded Programme of Immunization

Rotavirus vaccines, Rotarix and RotaTeq, are increasingly being introduced in national immunization programmes in Africa to prevent severe dehydrating acute gastroenteritis. A low-level risk of intussusception has been associated with rotavirus vaccines. We reviewed published data on intussusception in children <2 years of age in Africa. PubMed electronic database search was used to retrieve papers published on intussusception. The search was further refined to identify surveillance reports and case series conducted from 1980 to 2014, with at least 25 cases. The initial search identified 34 studies, and the refined search yielded 16. Intussusception occurred naturally in infants 2-4 months and peaked around 5-8 months of age. Delayed presentation was common and required surgical intervention in 87% (1008 of 1158) of cases with a high CFR, 10-33.7%. In African children, intussusception has been reported infrequently at a young age when the first dose of rotavirus vaccine is administered.

Clinical prediction rules for failed nonoperative reduction of intussusception

PURPOSE

The nonoperative reduction of intussusception in children can be performed safely if there are no contraindications. Many risk factors associated with failed reduction were defined. The aim of this study was to develop a scoring system for predicting the failure of nonoperative reduction using various determinants.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The data were collected from Chiang Mai University Hospital and Siriraj Hospital from January 2006 to December 2012. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients with intussusception aged 0-15 years with no contraindications for nonoperative reduction. The clinical prediction rules were developed using significant risk factors from the multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 170 patients with intussusception were included in the study. In the final analysis model, 154 patients were used for identifying the significant risk factors of failure of reduction. Ten factors clustering by the age of 3 years were identified and used for developing the clinical prediction rules, and the factors were as follows: body weight <12 kg (relative risk [RR] =1.48, P=0.004), duration of symptoms >48 hours (RR =1.26, P<0.001), vomiting (RR =1.63, P<0.001), rectal bleeding (RR =1.50, P<0.001), abdominal distension (RR =1.60, P=0.003), temperature >37.8°C (RR =1.51, P<0.001), palpable mass (RR =1.26, P<0.001), location of mass (left over right side RR =1.48, P<0.001), ultrasound showed poor prognostic signs (RR =1.35, P<0.001), and the method of reduction (hydrostatic over pneumatic, RR =1.34, P=0.023). Prediction scores ranged from 0 to 16. A high-risk group (scores 12-16) predicted a greater chance of reduction failure (likelihood ratio of positive [LR+] =18.22, P<0.001). A low-risk group (score 0-11) predicted a lower chance of reduction failure (LR+ =0.79, P<0.001). The performance of the scoring model was 80.68% (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve).

CONCLUSION

This scoring guideline was used to predict the results of nonoperative reduction and forecast the prognosis of the failed reduction. The usefulness of these prediction scores is for informing the parents before the reduction. This scoring system can be used as a guide to promote the possible referral of the cases to tertiary centers with facilities for nonoperative reduction if possible.

Intussusception in Children Aged Less than Five years

OBJECTIVE

To enumerate the cases of intussusception in Chennai during 2012-2013, describe the clinical profile, outcomes of case management and highlight the importance of systematically collecting this data in lieu of rotavirus vaccine introduction in India.

METHODS

Medical records of pediatric intussusception cases admitted in eight large hospitals in Chennai from July 2012 through June 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical data including diagnostic and treatment practices were obtained. Cases were categorized based on the diagnostic certainty criteria stipulated by the Brighton collaboration on intussusception.

RESULTS

During the one year of study period, 205 cases of intussusception were diagnosed in 8 hospitals in Chennai city of India. The median age at presentation was 9 mo (Inter Quartile Range, IQR 6-14) with a male to female ratio of 1.8:1. The commonest site of intussusception was ileocolic (80.4 %). Most of the cases (59.8 %) were managed non-surgically. Direct surgical intervention was carried out in 26.5 % cases whereas in 11.8% of cases, surgery was required after failure of non-surgical measures. Median duration of hospital stay was 3 d (IQR 1-5).

CONCLUSIONS

This study documents the case burden of intussusception among children in Chennai in a calendar year. Data on receipt of rotavirus vaccine was not available. The authors recommend collection of rotavirus vaccine data among all cases of intussusception in the country, and do retrospective analysis in other parts of the country and prospective surveillance in pediatric / immunization clinics to assess impact of rotavirus vaccine on intussusception rates in the post rotavirus vaccine introduction scenario.

The Spectrum of Paediatric Intestinal Obstruction in Kenya

INTRODUCTION

Intestinal obstruction (IO) occurs when there is impedance to the flow of intestinal contents due to a congenital or acquired pathology, and is a common paediatric surgical emergency. This study aimed to assess the pattern and outcome of paediatric IO in western Kenya.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all recorded cases of mechanical IO in patients aged 15 years or below admitted at Tenwek Hospital between January 2009 and December 2013.

RESULTS

The cohort included a total of 217 children (130 boys and 87 girls). The mean age was 6.7 years (range: newborn-15 years), with most (65, 30%) cases aged 1-3 years. Vomiting (161, 74.2%), abdominal pain (152, 70%), abdominal tenderness (113, 52.1%), constipation (111, 51.2%), and abdominal distension (104, 47.9%) were the predominant signs and symptoms. The most common causes of IO were ascariasis (96, 44.2%), adhesions (34, 15.7%), and intussusception (30, 13.8%). Intussusception was the leading cause of IO in children aged ≤ 1 year, ascariasis in children aged 1-5 and 6-10 years, and adhesions in children aged 11-15 years. Operative management was undertaken in 120 (55.3%) cases with 39 (32.5%) of these having gangrenous bowel. The overall mortality rate was 5%.

CONCLUSION

The most common causes of mechanical bowel obstruction in this series were ascariasis, adhesions, and intussusception. Ascariasis remains a significant cause of paediatric IO in this region, thus public education, improved sanitation and deworming campaigns may be helpful in reducing the worm burden.

Pediatric Intussusception in Northern Iran: Comparison of Recurrent With Non-Recurrent Cases

Background:

Intussusception represents as the invagination of a part of the intestine into itself and is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in infants and children between 6 months to 3-years-old.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to determine the recurrence rate and predisposing factors of recurrent intussusception.

Patients and Methods:

The medical records of children aged less than 13-years-old with confirmed intussusception who underwent reduction at a tertiary academic care in northern Iran (Mazandran), from 2001 to 2013 were reviewed. Data were extracted and recurrence rate was determined. The two groups were compared by chi square, Fisher, Mann-Whitney and t-test. Diagnosed cases of intussusception consisted of 237 children.

Results:

Average age of the patients was 19.57 ± 19.43 months with a peak of 3 to 30 months. Male to female ratio was 1.65 and this increased by aging. Recurrence rate was 16% (38 cases). 87 (36.7%) underwent surgery. These were mainly children under one year old. In 71% (40) of episodes recurrence occurred 1 to 7 times within 6 months. The recurrence occurred in 29 (23.5%) children in whom a first reduction was achieved with barium enema (BE) and 5 (5.7%) children who had an operative reduction (P < 0.001) in the first episode. Pathological leading points (PLPs) were observed in 5 cases; 2.6% in recurrence group versus 2% in non-recurrence group (P = 0.91). Three patients had intestinal polyp, 2 patient’s lymphoma and Mackle’s diverticulum. Age (P = 0.77) and sex (P = 0.38) showed no difference between the two groups. PLPs were observed in 1.4% of children aged 3 months to 5 years. This was 13.3%, in older children (P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

The recurrence of intussusception was related to the method of treatment in the first episode and it was 5-fold higher in children with BE than in operative reduction. Recurrent intussusceptions were not associated with PLPs, they were more idiopathic.