Children Should Be Taken to Hospital Immediately if Intussusception Is Suspected

"Delayed Diagnosis May Lead to Lifelong Repeated Hospitalizations"
Green Vomiting, Bloody Stool, Pallor Are Key Symptoms

Concerns have been raised that rapid diagnosis and treatment of intussusception, an abdominal emergency that primarily affects infants and young children, are not being adequately provided.

Choi Yongjae, President of the Korean Pediatric and Adolescent Hospital Association (Director of Uijeongbu Ttuntun Children's Hospital). Korean Adolescent Hospital Association

On July 9, Choi Yongjae, President of the Korean Pediatric and Adolescent Hospital Association (Director of Uijeongbu Ttuntun Children's Hospital), stated, "Efforts are needed to ensure the golden hour for intussusception is observed." He emphasized, "There are very few hospitals capable of diagnosing and performing reduction procedures for intussusception, resulting in many children requiring surgery. Delayed treatment can lead to extensive bowel resection and short bowel syndrome, leaving lifelong disabilities and economic burdens."

Intussusception is an abdominal emergency that mainly occurs in infants and young children. It is a condition in which a part of the intestine folds into another section, with a high risk of necrosis due to disrupted blood flow. In particular, if treatment is received within six hours of symptom onset?the so-called 'golden hour'?recovery is possible with non-surgical reduction (a procedure to return the intestine to its original position, as in the case of hernias). However, in practice, it is often difficult to even make a diagnosis at night, on holidays, or at regional medical institutions, resulting in frequent missed opportunities during the golden hour.

Choi explained, "While performing reduction within six hours is ideal, in reality, it is common for regional medical institutions, especially at night or on holidays, to be unable to provide even an ultrasound, let alone a diagnosis. If diagnosis is delayed because only a small number of hospitals can perform both diagnosis and reduction, children may suffer lifelong complications that change the course of their lives."

He also expressed concern that, in severe cases, a portion of the intestine may need to be resected. He said, "If reduction is delayed, patients may be exposed to extensive bowel resection and short bowel syndrome. After bowel resection, the ability to absorb nutrients drops sharply, requiring special diets such as total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and repeated hospitalizations may be necessary for life."

To prevent this, he recommended that caregivers be aware of the symptoms of intussusception. Choi stated, "Intermittent severe crying, green vomiting, blood in the stool resembling strawberry jam, lethargy, pallor, signs of dehydration, and a palpable mass in the abdomen are representative symptoms of intussusception. If these symptoms appear, the child should be immediately transported to a medical facility capable of pediatric ultrasound and emergency reduction procedures."

He also argued that government-level support is necessary to prevent harm. He said, "Intussusception is clearly a structural issue in essential medical care, but in most regional pediatric hospitals, neither diagnosis nor reduction can be performed." "The government must now provide essential medical support focused on pediatric surgery, radiology, and emergency medicine; support for reduction equipment and reimbursement for private pediatric hospitals; and expand emergency infrastructure in regional areas," he said.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.