Volvulus - childhood Health Article

Definition

A volvulus -- in this case occurring in childhood -- is a twisting of the bowel with obstruction of the flow of material through the bowel, variable loss of blood supply, and possible tissue death.

Alternative Names

Childhood volvulus

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

A volvulus is a condition in which the bowel becomes twisted. This twisting causes obstruction of the intestine, and also often cuts off the blood supply to the intestine. The resulting death of some or all of the intestine may in turn cause the person to die.

Malrotation of the bowel during fetal development may predispose infants to a volvulus, although a volvulus can occur in the absence of malrotation. Volvulus associated with malrotation often occurs early in life, frequently in the first year.

Infants develop sudden onset signs of bowel obstruction that may include nausea and vomiting, bloody stools, abdominal pain, constipation, and shock. Symptoms are generally dramatic enough that infants are taken early to the emergency room, which can be critical for survival.

Symptoms

• Abdominal tenderness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Vomiting green bile-looking material
• Bloody or dark red stool
• Constipation or difficulty expelling stools
• Distended abdomen
• Shock

Signs and tests

• A stool guaiac is positive for blood in the stool.
• An upper GI x-ray with small bowel follow-through shows a malrotated bowel or midgut volvulus.
• A CT scan may show evidence of intestinal obstruction.
• A barium enema often shows an abnormal position of the bowel, suggesting malrotation.
• Blood tests to check the electrolytes may show abnormalities.