The bowel 'invaginates' or 'telescopes' into itself, narrowing the lumen, which results in a palpable mass in the abdomen and obstruction to the passage of faeces through the bowel

Aetiology

Associated conditions

• Concurrent viral illness
• Henoch-Schonlein purpura
• Cystic fibrosis
• Intestinal polyps
• Meckel diverticulum

Clinical features

Symptoms

• Severe, colicky abdominal pain
• Pale, lethargic and unwell child
• Vomiting

Signs

• Signs of dehydration
• 'Redcurrant jelly stool'
• Right upper quadrant mass on palpation
• Can be associated with concurrent viral illness

Investigations

• USS: target sign