Intussusception is a serious medical condition in which a portion of the intestine folds into itself, like a telescope. This blocks normal digestion and blood supply and can become life-threatening if untreated. Although it is a gastrointestinal emergency, many cases are often misinterpreted as urinary infections or unrelated abdominal complaints like child fever, foul-smelling urine, or bedwetting. Hence, accurate and timely diagnosis is critical.
What Is Intussusception?
- Intussusception is the telescoping of one part of the intestine into another.
- It often occurs near the ileocecal valve (the junction between the small and large intestine).
- This leads to intestinal obstruction, reduced blood flow, and potentially bowel tissue death.
- It primarily affects infants and toddlers between 3 months and 3 years old.
Causes and Risk Factors
While many cases are idiopathic (cause unknown), some known contributors include:
- Viral infections (especially after respiratory or gastrointestinal illness)
- Enlarged lymphoid tissue in the intestine
- Congenital intestinal abnormalities
- Polyps or Meckel’s diverticulum (rare)
- Association with symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, or even urinary complaints that mimic pediatric UTI
Warning Signs and Symptoms
Parents should watch for sudden, intense symptoms such as:
- Severe, intermittent abdominal pain (child may cry and draw knees to chest)
- Vomiting, sometimes greenish (bilious)
- Child fever, fatigue, and signs of illness
- Bloody or jelly-like stools (classic symptom)
- Swollen abdomen or signs of a lump
- Refusal to feed or excessive sleepiness
- Rarely, symptoms may overlap with bedwetting, foul-smelling urine, or painful urination, leading to misdiagnosis
Can Intussusception Mimic Urinary Disorders?
Yes. The telescoping intestine can sometimes press against the bladder or urinary tract, leading to:
- Increased urination or frequent bedwetting
- Abdominal pain mistaken for pediatric UTI
- Foul-smelling urine due to systemic infection
- Rare complications like hydronephrosis or functional urinary obstruction
This overlap underscores the importance of evaluation at a pediatric urology clinic, especially when symptoms are unclear.
Diagnosis and Investigations
A timely and accurate diagnosis is essential. Pediatric specialists may perform:
- Abdominal ultrasound – The gold standard for confirming intussusception (target or donut sign)
- X-ray or contrast enema – Both diagnostic and therapeutic in some cases
- Blood tests – To check for infection, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalance
- Urine tests – To rule out co-existing pediatric UTI or child nephrolithiasis
If urinary complaints persist after reduction, evaluation by a pediatric nephrology team may be advised.
Treatment of Intussusception
Non-Surgical Reduction
- Air or contrast enema is used to unfold the intestine.
- Highly successful if done early (within 24–48 hours).
- Painless, fast, and often curative.
Surgical Intervention
Required if:
- The enema fails
- There’s intestinal perforation
- The bowel is severely damaged
- The child shows signs of sepsis, high fever, or persistent vomiting
Post-Treatment Recovery and Urology Follow-up
- Children typically recover quickly after non-surgical reduction.
- Surgical recovery may take longer but is highly effective.
- If the child had symptoms like urinary incontinence, bedwetting, or foul-smelling urine, they may need monitoring by a pediatric urologist for residual effects on bladder or kidney function.
When to Visit a Pediatric Urology Clinic
Seek pediatric urology consultation in Nagpur if your child:
- Has abdominal pain with urinary complaints
- Experiences repeated UTIs, painful urination, or daytime wetting
- Has history of pediatric kidney stones or hydronephrosis
- Needs evaluation for overlapping gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms
A comprehensive clinic can coordinate care between gastroenterology, nephrology, and urology to ensure accurate treatment and monitoring.
multidisciplinary approach involving both pediatricians and urologists ensures timely treatment and protects long-term kidney and bladder health.
If you are in Nagpur and your child has unexplained abdominal pain, foul-smelling urine, or persistent urinary symptoms, consult Dr. Sadashiv Bhole — one of the best pediatric urologists — for expert care and peace of mind.
