Recurrence of pediatric intussusception: A nationwide population-based descriptive study in Taiwan

Intussusception is frequently observed pediatric emergency that is often followed by recurrent intussusception after initial treatment. This study investigated the risk factors associated with recurrent intussusception in children aged ≤ 3 years. Between January 2007 and December 2015, a cohort study was conducted by linking the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database to the Birth Certificate Application database and the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Patients aged ≤ 3 years with intussusception diagnosis and related treatment were included in our study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors associated with recurrent intussusception. In total, 5341 children with intussusception aged ≤ 3 years were enrolled in our cohort. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for recurrent intussusception in children aged 2 to 3 years was 0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47–0.82) compared with children aged < 1 year, and surgery decreased the risk of recurrent intussusception (aOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46–0.88). Male patients had higher risk of recurrent intussusception than female patients had (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.13–1.75). Higher birth weight may increase the risk of recurrent intussusception, but this association was not statistically significant. Furthermore, gestational age did not seem to affect the risk of recurrent intussusception. Surgical treatment and delayed onset of intussusception are associated with a reduced risk of recurrent intussusception; males are associated with increased risk of recurrent intussusception. In addition, we suggest that in early infancy, patients who received non-surgical treatment as the initial treatment for intussusception should be closely followed up for potential recurrence of intussusception.