Epidemiology and Clinical Profile of Intussusception in Children Aged Under 2 Years in Maharashtra, India.

OBJECTIVES: Intussusception has been identified as a potential adverse event following rotavirus vaccination. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of intussusception in children aged under 2 y in Maharashtra, India, following the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine. METHODS: An observational study was conducted in six sentinel hospitals in Maharashtra, from January 2020 to December 2022. Children aged under 2 y with confirmed intussusception were enrolled. Data were collected on demographics, clinical presentation, rotavirus vaccination status, treatment modalities, and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 506 children screened for intussusception, 270 met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. The median age of the children was 9 mo, 179 (66.3%) were male, and 211 (78.1%) had received at least one dose of rotavirus vaccine, including 27 (10%) who had received the vaccine within 21 d prior to the onset of intussusception. The incidence of intussusception was higher in infants aged 5-8 mo than in other age groups. The primary clinical manifestations were vomiting (n = 226, 83.7%), abdominal pain (n = 198, 77%), and blood in stools (n = 154, 57%). Non-surgical reduction was successful in 155 (57.4%) children, whereas 115 (42.6%) required surgery. The median length of hospital stay was 3 d, and the case fatality rate was < 1%, with two deaths reported. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the epidemiology of intussusception in Maharashtra since the introduction of rotavirus vaccine. Ongoing monitoring of intussusception in children aged under 2 y is warranted to evaluate long-term trends and safety of the rotavirus vaccine.