The Challenge Affecting Early Diagnosis of Intussuscepting in Newborn Baby in Most Limited Resources in Tanzania

Intussusception in newborn is rare and associated with nonspecific features of intestinal obstruction. We present the new born who presented progressive abdominal distension, vomiting, and neonatal jaundice. There was delayed diagnosed and surgical intervention caused by missing diagnosis whereby the initial diagnosis was necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The surgical intervention was done at day five after admission, intraoperatively was ileo-ileal intussusception. Post operative management was no successfully whereby the baby died at the second day post operatively. The aim of this case is to highlight the challenge of distinguishing the NEC and intussusception in extreme young age. The abdominal X-ray radiological features are very important in differentiating the two newborn conditions to prevent delayed diagnosis and management to improve unfavorable outcome. Intussusception should be considered in any preterm infant with suspected NEC till when it is proven otherwise.