But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org , the AAFP patient education Web site. Intussusception is a serious problem of the intestine, or bowel. When intussusception occurs, part of the intestine collapses into itself. This makes the intestines not work properly.
Intussusception occurs most commonly in babies between five and nine months of age.
Boy babies are affected twice as often as girl babies. Sometimes newborn babies, older children and adults have intussusception, but it's not common in these age groups. There is no known cause for most cases of intussusception. Rarely, intussusception is caused by conditions such as appendicitis or tumors. Usually, babies with intussusception vomit and have stomach pain and bloody stools.