Abstract:
Background: Intestinal obstruction is the commonest life-threatening emergency
all around the world requiring emergency management. It occurs when there is
interruption in the forward flow of the intestinal contents. It is a major cause of
morbidity and mortality in children in the developing countries. In the pediatric
age group, it can be congenital or acquired. This study sought to identify the
etiologies and outcomes of intestinal obstruction in the pediatric age group at
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya.
Methods: This study was a prospective descriptive study. It included 83 children
below 13 years who were operated on for intestinal obstruction between January
2015 to January 2016. Relevant data on clinical presentation, duration of onset of
symptoms, investigations and intraoperative findings were entered into the data
collection sheet. Daily follow up was done until discharge or in-hospital death,
and outcomes recorded.
Results: A total of 83 patients were studied. Age of the patients ranged from 1 day
to 13 years old, with a mean of 2.67 (SD ± 2.2) years. Neonates constituted 38.6% of
the study participants. The male to female ratio was 2.95:1. The most common
etiology was intussusception (30.1%). The complication rate was 16.9%. The
average length of hospitalization was 7.9±5.3 days. The in-hospital mortality was
16.9%.
Conclusion: The commonest aetiology of intestinal obstruction in the pediatric
age group at Moi teaching and referral hospital is intussusception. Mortality and
morbidity rates are high. Factors co-related with mortality are deranged
potassium level, neonates, referrals, development of complications and late
presentation (>24hrs).
