Bowel Knot Symptoms and Treatment in Infants

Intestinal knotting in babies, called intussusception in medicine, is a condition that can cause very severe abdominal pain. What are the symptoms of intestinal knot in babies, why is it and how is it treated? Let’s start!

What is intestinal knotting?

Intestinal knotting; It is a rare disease that causes the inability to remove oral food from the butt, usually seen between the 8th and 14th months of small babies, and causes abdominal pain.

Although there are types such as intertwining of the small or large intestines, the most common form is the passage of the small intestine into the large intestine. Intestinal knotting is not only in babies; It can also be seen in children.

What causes intestinal knots in babies?

• A common cause of intestinal knots in infants is entanglement of the intestines. This condition is called intussusception. It causes bleeding in the anus of the baby. If left untreated, deterioration and decay occur in the blood supply of the intestines.
• Another cause of intestinal knotting in infants is intestinal volvulus. That is, the intestines rotate around themselves. If it is not intervened quickly, the intestines begin to rot by losing their bloodiness.
• Intestinal knotting due to the mass usually progresses more slowly and manifests itself late. Complaints related to the mass are more common than intestinal obstruction.

What causes intestinal knotting in newborn babies?

Congenital anomalies can be seen frequently, especially in the neonatal period. The rotation of the intestine around itself while in the womb can lead to volvulus.

Newborns with abdominal distension and who cannot tolerate feeding may also have conditions called atresia, where there is no intestinal integrity.

What are the symptoms of intestinal knot in babies?

• Severe abdominal pain (colic pain) that comes every 15-20 minutes and causes the child to squirm ,
• swelling in the abdomen,
• Sudden crying spells
• Pulling the legs to the abdomen,
• Biliary vomiting,
• not getting food,
• Bleeding in the anus,
• Inability to poop
• Dark, mucous and bloody bro, similar to blackberry jelly, one of the signs of intestinal obstruction in infants.

This situation can sometimes be followed by a period without abdominal pain and often without stress. Intestinal knotting caused by intussusception manifests itself by causing bleeding in the rectum of the baby.

How to detect intestinal knot in babies?

A mass in the abdomen is a major factor in diagnosing intestinal knotting. To diagnose intestinal knotting in infants, radiological imaging called air or barium enema may be required.

Performing this test is not only diagnostic, but can also open up an intestinal blockage.

Intestinal knot treatment in infants

If the knot is due to a piece of intestine stuck in the inguinal hernia, urgent intervention is absolutely necessary. When treatment is delayed, it can even lead to death.

In recent years, closed methods have been preferred in the treatment of intestinal knotting. Generally, the intestines are opened with ultrasound or x-ray by giving air or serum fluid from the buttocks.

The most commonly used is the air opening method called “Pneumatic Reduction”. In this way, successful results of up to 90% can be achieved. If the methods of opening the intestinal knot with air or liquid fail in babies, open surgery is performed.

Intestinal knotting surgery in infants

If the enema does not clear the obstruction in the intestines, surgical intervention may be required to correct the problem.

Especially in children with delayed diagnosis and treatment, the problematic part can be removed because intestinal blood supply may be impaired.

Recovery rate after intestinal knotting surgery in babies can reach 90%-95% in experienced hands. When it is too late for diagnosis and treatment, it may be necessary to remove that part of the intestine, as intestinal blood supply may deteriorate.

Does intestinal knotting in babies recur?

In children up to the age of 5, there is a possibility of recurring intestinal knotting, especially in the first 3 days. When intestinal knotting recurs, air-opening is applied. However, the fact that the intestines are opened with air in the first application does not mean that a successful result will be obtained in the second attempt.

Let’s talk about the advantages of the air reduction method in intestinal knotting. Since her child does not need open surgery, she does not receive general anesthesia. Since the abdominal cavity is not opened, the possibility of intestinal adhesions decreases in the following periods and the little one stays in the hospital for less time.

Is intestinal knotting in infants fatal?

Intestinal knots in infants can result in death if left untreated. Dead tissues in the abdomen must be removed.

Especially when children with intestinal knots cannot feed and lose fluid by vomiting, more serious pictures can occur. Early diagnosis is very important in intestinal knotting, and if it is delayed, treatment can become increasingly difficult.