title: Intussusception in infancy and childhood.
abstract: Intussusception is the commonest cause of intestinal obstruction in childhood in Trinidad. A review of 94 consecutive cases seen at the General Hospital, Port-of-Spain, over a 12-year period (1974-1985) indicates that there had been a very rapid increase in incidence of intussusception in the last 4 years. The majority were under 1 year of age (87%) and there was a predominance in the Negro child (62%). Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. A high misdiagnosis rate (55%) lead to inappropriate treatment and delay in surgical intervention. This resulted in a high case fatality (6.4%) and complication rate. In order to minimize morbidity and mortality from intussusception steps must be taken to ensure earlier diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, General Hospital, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies.
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Kuruvilla
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naraynsingh
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Raju
authors.forename: L U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Manmohansingh
mesh_terms: D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D007080:Ileocecal Valve; D007223:Infant; D007443:Intussusception / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago