Clinical features and treatment outcome of intussusception in premature neonates.
OBJECTIVE
Less than 1.3% of all cases of intussusception occur in term neonates. Intussusception in premature neonates (IPN) is exceedingly rare. Its rarity and difficulty to differentiate IPN from common neonatal diseases like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) often delays its diagnosis. The authors set out to characterize diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of this rare condition.


METHODS
The authors analyzed 2 new cases of IPN and 33 previously reported cases from the literature.


RESULTS
The 35 patients with IPN had an average gestational age, postconceptual age at diagnosis, and birth weight of 28.4 +/- 0.6 weeks (all data, mean +/- SEM), 31.1 +/- 0.5 weeks, and 1,165 +/- 21 g, respectively. Gastrointestinal symptoms first presented at age 8 +/- 1 days. A preoperative diagnosis of NEC was assumed in 24 patients, delaying diagnosis by 10 +/- 2 days. Intussusception was diagnosed radiographically in 2 patients (1 contrast enema and 1 ultrasound scan) and during surgery or autopsy in the remainder. Resection was reported in 28 patients for bowel that was irreducible, necrotic, or perforated. The overall mortality rate was 20%, mainly owing to sepsis.


CONCLUSIONS
Intussusception in the premature neonate often is misdiagnosed as NEC, delaying operative intervention. Contrast enema has limited diagnostic capability. Early diagnosis may be achieved with use of ultrasound scan. Intussusception can be treated successfully with resection and primary anastomosis, achieving good results.
Avansino
Jeffrey R
JR
Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Bjerke
Scott
S
Hendrickson
Margo
M
Stelzner
Matthias
M
Sawin
Robert
R
D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004733:Enema; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007443:Intussusception / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001466:Barium Sulfate