It affects boys 3 times more often than girls. Most cases occur in children between 5 months and 1 year of age. Intussusception often begins with sudden loud and pained crying caused by abdominal pain . The pain is colicky and intermittent but recurs frequently increasing in both intensity and duration. As the condition progresses the infant may become weak and then shocky.
Early diagnosis is important in order to salvage both the bowel and the infant.
A physical examination may reveal a mass in the abdomen . Signs of dehydration or shock may be present. An abdominal X-ray may suggest obstruction. A barium enema may show telescoping bowel. In some cases, the bowel obstruction can be reduced with a barium enema by a skilled radiologist.