COMMON HEALTH
PROBLEMS that DEVELOP
during INFANCY
INTUSSUSCEPTIONS
Is the invagination or telescoping of a
portion of the intestine into a adjacent,
more distal section of the intestine
causing mechanical obstruc
...
COMMON HEALTH
PROBLEMS that DEVELOP
during INFANCY
INTUSSUSCEPTIONS
Is the invagination or telescoping of a
portion of the intestine into a adjacent,
more distal section of the intestine
causing mechanical obstruction.
It occurs in children
younger than age 3, most
commonly ages 5 to 10
months.
CAUSES:
• The causes of intussusception
are not fully known.
• Most cases in young children
are idiopatic.
• Although some viral and
bacterial infections of the
intestine may possibly
contribute to intussusception in
infancy. Ex. Salmonella typhi
and Escherichia coli.
SIGNS and SYMPTOMS
• Children with this disorder
suddenly draw up their legs and
cry due to severe pain.
• Blood in stool, or later “currant
jelly” stools containing sloughed
mucosa, blood, and mucus.
• Vomiting.
• Increasing absence of stools.
SIGNS and SYMPTOMS
• Abdominal distention, bowel sound
diminished, absent or high pitch.
• Sausage like mass palpable in
abdomen (Dance’s sign).
• Unusual looking anus; may look
like rectal prolapse.
• Dehydration and fever
• Shock like state with rapid pulse,
pallor, and marked sweating.
DIAGNOSIS:
The presence of the
intussusceptions are confirmed
by the ultrasound or a CT scan.
MANAGEMENT:
• The initial treatment of choice is
nonsurgical hydrostatic
reduction by barium enema.
(The enema increases the pressure in the
child's intestine, which can often cause the
affected area to return to its normal
position)
• If nonsurgical reduction is
unsuccessful, a surgical
reduction is indicated
NURSING
INTEVENTIONS:
• Administer I.V. fluids as
ordered. If the patient is in
shock, give blood or plasma as
ordered.
• A nasogastric tube is inserted to
decompress the bowel.
• Replace volume lost as
ordered.
NURSING
INTEVENTIONS:
• Prepare the patient for
hydrostatic reduction and
answer question to allay fears.
• Monitor vital signs frequently.
• Check intake and output and
watch for signs of dehydration
and bleeding.
• Monitor amount and type of
drainage from the nasogastric
tube.
NURSING
INTEVENTIONS:
• Explain what happens in
intussuseption to the
patient and his family.
• If surgery is required, provide
preoperative teaching.
• To minimize the stress of
hospitalization, encourage
patient to participate in their
child’s care as much as
possible.
NURSING
INTEVENTIONS:
• Be alert for respiratory distress due
to abdominal distention.
• Monitor pain, distention, and general
behavior preoperatively and
postoperatively.
• Observe infant’s behavior as
indicator of pain; may be irritable
and very sensitive to handling or
lethargic or unresponsive. Handle
the infant g
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