When Your Child Has Intussusception

The bowel (intestine) is a very long tube. It is coiled up tightly inside the abdomen. Intussusception occurs when a portion of the bowel slides inside another portion. This happens in the same way that parts of a telescope slide inside each other when you close it. The bowel can slide back out by itself. Or, it can get stuck. Blood supply to part of the bowel could then become blocked. This can cause severe damage if not treated.