Evaluation of the Role of Steroids in Decreasing Early Recurrence of Acute Intussusception in Children
There are very few reports and limited evidence that premedication with steroids decreases early recurrence of ileocolic intussusception after a successful hydrostatic reduction. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of steroids in decreasing early recurrence of idiopathic intussusceptions. A retrospective review of children that underwent successful hydrostatic reduction was conducted. Two groups were identified: group 1 (38 cases) that received intravenous methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg/dose) on diagnosis or immediately after the reduction maneuver, and group 2 (59 cases) were not given. There were 60 boys and 37 girls ranging in age from 6 to 84 months. There were no statistical differences between the groups regarding age, sex, duration of symptoms and laboratory findings on admission. There was no significant difference (p=0.76) in the rate of early recurrent intussusception between the steroid group (15.8%, 6/38) and the non-steroid group (13.6%, 8/59). We found that premedication of children with idiopathic intussusception with methylprednisolone did not decrease early recurrence of idiopathic intussusceptions.