Intussusception in babies under 4 months of age.

Intussusception in babies under 4 months of age is uncommon. The hospital records of 25 babies under 4 months of age who were treated for intussusception between 1974 and 1983 were reviewed. There was no history of pain in nine cases. Rectal bleeding occurred in all but one of the infants. Vomiting was a prominent symptom in all but 2 infants and was the first symptom in 11. Only eight infants presented with all three symptoms. There was a high rate of failure of reduction by barium enema, even when it was attempted early. Although intussusception does occur in young infants, the clinical picture is generally different from that seen in infants aged 4 months or more.