Identifying Predictive Factors for the Recurrence of Pediatric Intussusception

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to identify factors related to the recurrence of intussusception in pediatric patients. METHODS: The medical charts of patients diagnosed with intussusception and treated at Dongsan Medical Center, between March 2015 to June 2017, were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Among 137 patients, 23 patients (16.8%) had a recurrent intussusception and 8 of these patients (6%) had more than 2 episodes of recurrence. The age at diagnosis was significantly different between the non-recurrence and recurrence group (p=0.026), with age >1 year at the time of diagnosis associated with a greater rate of recurrence (p=0.002). The time interval from symptom onset to the initial reduction (<48 vs. ≥48 hours) was significantly longer in the recurrence group (p=0.034) and patients in the recurrence group had higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.024). Bloody stools and a history of infection were significantly more frequent in the non-recurrence group (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). On stepwise regression analysis, age >1 year at the time of presentation (odds ratio [OR], 4.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56–14.06; p=0.016) and no history of infection (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06–0.58; p=0.004) were retained as predictors of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Patients with intussusception who are older than 1 year at diagnosis, have an elevated CRP level, a delay of ≥48 hours between symptom onset and the initial reduction, an absence of bloody stools, and no history of infection should be closely monitoring for symptoms and signs of a possible recurrence.