Intussusception in children aged under 12 months

Lead investigator

Professor Brent Taylor
Professor of Community Child Health
General and Adolescent Paediatric Unit
UCL Institute of Child Health
30 Guilford Street
London
WC1N 1EH

Overview

• Intussusception (IS) is caused by a bowel section telescoping, causing obstruction.
• It is a surgical emergency, but most cases can be managed non-surgically with good outcome.
• Incidence is highest in children under the age of one year and males seem to be affected more.
• There is no clear evidence from previous studies of seasonal variation.
• Previous retrospective studies in the UK have shown an incidence of 0.6-0.76 per 1,000 populations (children < 12 months). However, recent data from other developed countries indicates declining trend, with decreases of 39-55% since 1990.
• The most recent European study from the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit, showed an incidence of 0.4 per 1000 population in children aged less than 12 months.
• The study primary objective is to estimate the current incidence of intussusception.

Duration: March 2008 - March 2009 (13 months)

Funding: Educational Grant from GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals

Ethical approval: This study has been approved by the Wandsworth Research Ethics Committee, reference 07/Q0803/62 and is exempt from site-specific assessment. Copies of the REC application, the REC approval letter and the study protocol will be sent to each notifying paediatrician with a request to kindly forward them to their R&D department if requested. The study also has PIAG approval (PIAG/BPSU 2-05(FT1)/2007).

Study Contact Details: 
Dr Haitham EL BASHIR
General and Adolescent Paediatrics Unit, Institute of Child Health
University College London
1st Floor, West Wing, 2
50 Euston Road
London
NW1 2PG

Email: h.bashir@ucl.ac.uk
Tel: 08451555000 (Ext.3390)
Fax: 020 7380 9064

Further Information

• Protocol Card (PDF, 37KB, 2 pages)

Support Group: There is no specific support group for this condition. However advice and support is available from: 

Contact a Family
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London EC1V 1JN
Tel: 020 7608 8700
Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Freephone: For parents and families (10am-4pm, Mon-Fri)
Email: info@cafamily.org.uk