Intussusception in neonates: analysis of 14 Japanese patients.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the clinical features and pathogenesis of intussusception in neonates.


METHODS
Fourteen neonates were diagnosed with intussusception between June 1974 and January 2001. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not signs were present on the first day of life. The clinical features were interrelated with the pathological findings.


RESULTS
All six patients in the group whose signs were present on the first day of life also had intestinal atresia or malrotation. Among patients whose signs began less than 24 h after birth, five of eight patients suffered hypoxia. Moreover, it was very difficult to establish the diagnosis of intussusception, particularly in the group of late-onset type intussusception.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypoxic events may play a crucial aetiologic role in the pathogenesis of late-onset neonatal intussusception.
Ueki
I
I
Department of Neonatology, St Mary's Hospital, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan. isaoeki@medikurume-uiac.jp
Nakashima
E
E
Kumagai
M
M
Tananari
Y
Y
Kimura
A
A
Fukuda
S
S
Hashimoto
T
T
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007409:Intestinal Atresia / Q000150:complications*; D007443:Intussusception / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome