How does intussusception cause altered mental status?

Along with the classic and common presentations, patients with intussusception may also present with altered mental status. This altered mental status is often thought of as the child being inconsolable. Most practitioners will have intussusception high on the DDx in the child with inconsolability and vomiting.

What is jejunal intussusception?

Intussusception is a rare cause of abdominal pain in adults. It occurs in fewer than 1% of all cases of adult small bowel obstruction. In the adult population, most cases are the result of some type of intestinal lesion like adhesions, melanomas, lipomas or adenomatous polyps.

What causes lethargy in intussusception?

This is a mixture of mucus, sloughed mucosa, and shed blood. Diarrhea can also be an early sign of intussusception. Lethargy is a relatively common presenting symptom with intussusception. The reason lethargy occurs is unknown, because lethargy has not been described with other forms of intestinal obstruction.

Why do babies get intussusception?

In kids younger than 3 months old or older than 5, intussusception is more likely to be caused by an underlying condition like enlarged lymph nodes, a tumor, or a blood vessel problem in the intestines. Intussusception is most common in babies 5 to 9 months old, but older children also can have it.

What is the management of intussusception in children?

Intussusception is a common abdominal emergency in children with significant morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and management reduces associated risks and the need for surgical intervention.

Which is the most common risk factor for intussusception?

Risk factors for intussusception include: Age. Children — especially young children — are much more likely to develop intussusception than adults are. It’s the most common cause of bowel obstruction in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Sex. Intussusception more often affects boys. Abnormal intestinal formation at birth.

What causes abdominal pain in babies with intussusception?

Babies and children with intussusception have intense abdominal pain, which often begins suddenly and causes the child to draw the knees up toward the chest. The pain often makes the child cry very loudly.

Is it normal for a child to have a fever during intussusception?

Your child may experience pain and will receive medication through an IV if needed. It is also normal to have a fever during this time, so Tylenol (Acetaminophen) may also be used to reduce the fever. Your child’s incision may have a clear (derma bond) dressing or a gauze dressing.

How does intussusception cause altered mental status? Along with the classic and common presentations, patients with intussusception may also present with altered mental status. This altered mental status is often thought of as the child being inconsolable. Most practitioners will have intussusception high on the DDx in the child with inconsolability and vomiting. What is…