Bacterial enteritis as a risk factor for childhood intussusception: a retrospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between bacterial enteritis and intussusception.


METHODS
The Patient Administration Systems and Biostatistics Activity database from January 2002 to December 2005 was examined for clinic visits or hospital admission to a Department of Defense medical facility for children age 0-5 years. The study included the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems diagnosis-related group (DRG) codes for infections with Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli, Shigella species, Salmonella species, and Campylobacter. Identified patients were then assessed for the intussusception DRG code for 0-180 days postinfection. The total number of children enrolled in military treatment facilities in the same age group (denominator) was obtained.


RESULTS
Bacterial enteritis significantly increased the relative risk of intussusception. An increased risk was found following infection with Salmonella, E coli, Shigella, and Campylobacter. The relative risk for intussusception following any bacterial enteritis was 40.6 (95% confidence interval = 28.6-57.5; P < .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Bacterial enteritis is a significant risk factor for the subsequent development of intussusception in children.
Nylund
Cade M
CM
Air Force Institute of Technology Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Cincinnati, OH, USA. cade.nylund@cchmc.org
Denson
Lee A
LA
Noel
James M
JM
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications*; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000150:complications; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004405:Dysentery, Bacillary / Q000150:complications; D004751:Enteritis / Q000150:complications*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007443:Intussusception / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000150:complications; D015009:Yersinia Infections / Q000150:complications