Population-based incidence and burden of childhood intussusception in Jeonbuk Province, South Korea

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of childhood intussusception and to estimate the incidence rate of intussusception before the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in Korea. Methods: Demographic, clinical, diagnostic, treatment, and outcome data for patients aged <5 years who were diagnosed with intussusception in Jeonbuk Province, South Korea from January 2000 through December 2002, were retrospectively collected using a standardized data collection instrument. Results: During the 3-year period, 408 patients were diagnosed with intussusception; 82.8% of children were aged <24 months. Predominant signs and symptoms were vomiting (64.5%), bloody stool (43.9%), and abdominal pain/irritability (41.9%). The combination of ultrasound and barium or air enema was the most frequently used diagnostic approach (38.7%). Three hundred and thirteen patients (76.7%) were treated by radiologic reduction, 88 (21.6%) patients were treated by surgical intervention, and the remaining seven patients had no treatment. The mean annual incidence rate of intussusception in Jeonbuk Province was 236/100 000 among children aged <2 years and 106/100 000 among children aged <5 years. Conclusions: This retrospective study provides a background incidence rate of childhood intussusception in Korean children before the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine.