Chapter 2330: Nobody’s Perfect
The human intestines are somewhat similar to these rubber tubes; first, they are flexible, and second, the diameter of each section of the intestines is actually different, some being large and some small. The result of such physiological anatomical characteristics is that rubber tubes easily fold, and if the surface happens to be indented, the smaller-diameter section can directly invert into the larger-diameter cavity like a pen.
The common location for infant intussusception is the end of the ileum inserting into the large diameter of the cecum.
You might find it strange, how can intestines fold? Intestines are living organs with autonomic nerves and can move independently. If an internal infection occurs, or the autonomic nerves are disturbed, or due to external injury, their movement disorder can inevitably result in accidental folds.
Why are infants’ intestines particularly prone to folding?
Previously, it was mentioned that the digestive system of children is underdeveloped. Adding complementary foods for children is also to train the digestive system to adapt to more complex foods. Some children have poor adaptability, coupled with factors such as cold and infection leading to intestinal disorder, and they can only fall ill.
If you need to investigate further, we can discuss the ileocecal area where this disease often occurs in infants. The ileum is the end of the small intestine, and the cecum is the starting point of the large intestine; the junction of the two is called the ileocecal region. Here, in the ileocecal region, there’s a physiological structure called the ileocecal valve. It’s a circular muscle on the intestinal wall, relatively thick, wrinkled, with a mucous membrane on the surface, shaped like two semi-lunar pieces. Its purpose is to prevent the contents of the cecum from flowing back into the small intestine.
Infants have a thicker ileocecal valve, which can be excessively thick in some children. A thicker ileocecal valve implies a larger diameter opening of the cecum.
Infants have relatively longer mesentery in the small intestine; the mesentery is the peritoneum that fixes the intestines. Longer mesentery means the chain anchoring the small intestine is longer, allowing the small intestine to move more freely and increasing its mobility limit.
Under these combined conditions, intussusception is more likely to occur.
Parents are not at fault, mothers are not at fault, grandmothers are not at fault; everyone is scientifically feeding the child. Nor should it be said that the child is unlucky or hasn’t grown well. Because this disease is very common, it’s not just one child like this. From a scientific standpoint, this is an imperfect defect in the human body’s evolutionary process. No one is perfect; we shouldn’t demand that humans grow to be perfect, much like how doctors often say that no one is eternally free from illness.
Standing outside the consultation room, the child’s grandmother wiped her eyes; the doctor’s words had cleared her of guilt.
The child’s mother had reddened eyes; she questioned only out of fear of her own guilt.
Once a human infant falls ill, all the adults fear their own guilt, eventually lighting the fuse for conflict.
A good doctor considers the parents, which is actually considering the child. If parents within a family are not harmonious, and the child relies entirely on the parents for survival, can the child be okay? The child will inevitably suffer along.
"Thank you, doctor. What should I do for my son now?" The child’s mother involuntarily grasped Xie Wanying’s hand and said.
This student Xie is impressive, skilled at reassuring the patient’s family. Student Wei took a deep breath, feeling the need to push himself further. Academic knowledge must be matched with a caring heart, and this skill needs to be honed. Mo Guai had heard long ago that student Xie was well-received by patients and their families.
Student Duan Sanbao glanced at student Xie’s profile out of the corner of his eye. His big, round eyes seemed to be in deep thought, turning his head back to continue focusing on ostrich-style medical contemplation. As the child’s primary physician, holding a medical license, his responsibility was substantial.