PaediatricsSurgeryEmergency Medicine
Intussusception
Intermittent colicky abdominal pain in 6 month – 2 year-old + drawing up of legs + redcurrant jelly stool — USS diagnosis, air-enema reduction, surgery if failed.
Source: BSPGHAN; APLS; RCPCH
Step 1 of ~5
info
Recognise
Most common 6 months – 2 years (peak 5–9 months). Triad: paroxysmal colicky abdominal pain (drawing up legs, screaming, then settling), vomiting (early non-bilious, late bilious), redcurrant jelly stool (LATE sign). Sausage-shaped mass RUQ, dance sign. Lethargy / pallor / shock disproportionate to dehydration. Pathological lead point in <3 months and >5 years (Meckel's, polyp, lymphoma). Verify all paediatric drug doses against BNFc.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Docusate sodium · Stool softener (anionic surfactant)
- Protamine Sulphate (Heparin Reversal) · Heparin Reversal / Cardiac Surgery
- Methoxyflurane · Inhaled Analgesic — Acute Pain
- Prednisolone (Oral — Nasal Polyp Reduction) · Systemic Corticosteroid
- Eliglustat · Glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor (substrate reduction therapy)
- Lactulose · Osmotic laxative / Ammonia reduction (hepatic encephalopathy)
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.