A person with intussusception has a segment of intestine that slides inside the segment next to it. The result is similar to an expandable telescope that has been shortened.

Intussusception can cut off the blood supply to part of the intestine, resulting in death of the tissue. Intussusception usually occurs in children between the ages of 5 months and 2 years. With treatment, most cases of intussusception resolve without complications.