What is intussusception? Intussusception is the most common
cause of intestinal obstruction in children between ages three
months and three years old. Intussusception occurs when a
portion of the intestine folds like a telescope, with one
segment slipping inside another segment. It can occur in the
colon, the small bowel, or between the small bowel and colon.
The result can be a blocked small bowel or colon. This causes an
obstruction, preventing the passage of food that is being
digested through the intestine. The walls of the two
"telescoped" sections of intestine press on each other, causing
irritation and swelling. Eventually, the blood supply to that
area is cut off, which can cause damage to the intestine. Click
Image to Enlarge What causes intussusception? The cause of
intussusception is not known. It may occur more frequently in
people who have relatives who also had intussusception. An
increased incidence of developing intussusception is often seen
in children: Who have cystic fibrosis and are also d