Treatment
With intussusception, diagnosis sometimes results
in treatment. Forcing barium into the colon may reduce
the intussusception as pressure from the barium pushes
the infolded piece of bowel back out of the large intes-
tine.Thisoccursinasmanyas75%ofcases.Sometimes
the procedure needs to be repeated to get complete
reversal of the infolding. When a barium enema pro-
vides effective treatment, the pain stops immediately and
the child becomes dramatically better. The child is usu-
ally hospitalized for observation for about 18–24 hours.
This precaution is taken because most recurrences of the
intussusception occur within that time.
If the initial x rays show that the bowel has rup-
tured, has a perforation, or if massive infection is
present (peritonitis), a barium enema cannot be used
and emergency surgery is required. Surgery is also
required if the barium enema is ineffective in reversing
the blockage. About 25% of children require surgery.
Recovery after surgery is usually complete and no
complications are expected.
Nutrition/Dietetic concerns
Individuals whose intussusception is successfully
treated without surgery can return to a normal diet
immediately. Individuals who require surgery will ini-
tially be fed intravenously (IV), followed by a clear
liquid diet, then progressing to soft foods until normal
bowel function is established. At this time they can
return to their regular diet.
Prognosis
Untreated intussusception is fatal, usually within
2–5 days. Death is caused by complications from gan-
grene and massive infection. Individuals who are suc-
cessfully treated for intussusception recover, usually
without complications. Repeat intussusception can be
as high as 10% in individuals whose intussusception is
cleared by barium enema. Most of the time, if recur-
rence is going to occur, it happens within the first 24
hours, although a longer time frame is always possible.
Prevention
There is no way to prevent intussusception. How-
ever, prompt medical care can prevent death.
Resources
BOOKS
Lalani, Amina and Suzan Schneeweiss, eds.The Hospital for
Sick Children Handbook of Pediatric Emergency Medi-
cine. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Family Physicians. P. O. Box 11210,
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207. Telephone: (913)906-- Website:http://www.aafp.org
American Academy of Pediatrics. 14 Northwest Point Blvd.
Elk Grove, IL 60007. Telephone: (874)434-4000. Web-
site:http://www.aap.org
OTHER
Chahine, A. Alfred. ‘‘Intussusception.’’ eMedicine.com,
April 11, 2006.http://www.emedicine.com/ped/
topic1208.htm
King, Lonnie. ‘‘Pediatrics, Intussusception.’’ eMedicine.
com, May 23, 2006.http://www.emedicine.com/ped/
topic385.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. ‘‘Intussusception.’’ MayoClinic.com,
September 6, 2006.http://www.mayoclinic.com/
health/ntussusception/DS00798
Tish Davidson, A.M.Iodine
Definition
Iodine (I) is a non-metallic element that the body
needs in very small (trace) amounts in order to remain
healthy. It can only be acquired through diet. Defi-
ciencies of iodine are a serious health problem in some
parts of the world.Purpose
Iodine is essential to the formation of the thyroid
hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
Thyroid hormones regulate many basic metabolic
processes. Solutions containing iodine can be used on
the skin as a disinfectant because iodine kills bacteria.
It can also be used to purifywatercontaminated with
bacteria. In medical settings, iodine is used in diagnos-
tic radioisotope scanning and it has other industrial
uses.Description
The thyroid gland is a located in the front of the
neck just below the Adam’s apple. It is part of a com-
plex, tightly-controlled feedback cycle that regulates
basic aspects ofmetabolism, such as how fast the body
burns calories, growth rate, and body temperature.
Under stimulation by thyroid stimulating hor-
mone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland, the
thyroid produces two hormones, triiodothyronine
(T3) and thyroxine (T4). The formation of oneIodine