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intussusception
(in″tә-sә-sep´shәn)
prolapse of one part of the intestine into the lumen of an immediately adjacent part, causing partial or complete intestinal obstruction. It can occur in adults, such as because of a tumor, but is far more common in infants; it is one of the most common causes
of intestinal obstruction in infancy. Types are named for the portion of intestine involved, such as enteric, ileocecal, ileocolonic, or colonic. It
may be caused by a growth in the intestine or by any condition that causes the intestine to contract strongly. It becomes
obvious when a healthy, thriving infant suddenly experiences paroxysms of abdominal pain, with vomiting and restlessness.
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