In 2020, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPI) to stop transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shown not only to mitigate the COVID-19 spread, but also have decreased the burden of other communicable diseases. In this study we link the effect of NPI on incidence of intussusception and suggest the role for communicable pathogens in pathophysiology of the disease.

We accessed to Healthcare Bigdata Hub, from the single-payer health insurance system in South Korea. We included all children aged < 5 years coded with intussusception (ICD-10 CM; K561) and a procedure code for reduction or surgical intervention from 2010 to 2020. We included only the first examination result of each patient. Descriptive statistics with monthly incidence rates per 100,000 (denominator from Census) was calculated for boys and girls. Monthly intussusception incidence rate ratio (IRR) was calculated for 2020 vs. 2010–2019. To examine the net risk ratio of intussusception incidence, we used Poisson regression model using R (ver. 3.6.2).

Monthly incidence rates of intussusception in boys ranged from 17 to 30 per 100,000 in 2010–2019; and from 8 to 17 per 100,000 in 2020 (Fig. 1). In girls, the monthly incidence rates in 2010–2019 ranged from 12 to 19 per 100,000; and from 8 to 15 per 100,000 in 2020 (Fig. 1). Monthly intussusception IRR for boys was significantly low from April to November. Monthly intussusception IRR for girls was significantly low in May, and from September to November (Table 1). The net risk ratio of intussusception incidence for 2020 compared to 2010-2019 was 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43–0.64) for boys and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.44–0.71) for girls (P for difference = 0.017).

We found a reduction in net risk ratio of incidence of intussusception in 2020 compared to 2010–2019, with more profound reduction in boys. Our finding is in line with a report from China, where the cases of enteric-type intussusception has significantly decreased in 2020 compared to 2018–2019.2 Following implementation of NPI since February, 2020, there had been reduction in rates of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus in Korea.3 Among the gastrointestinal pathogens, a significant decrease was found for rotavirus and norovirus.4 Previous studies have suggested potential link between intussusception with viral (adenovirus, rotavirus) or bacterial pathogens (Salmonella, E coli, Shigella, and Campylobacter).1 Although no causal conclusion can be drawn from these coinciding NPI implementation and downward trends of intussusception, they are of interest in the context of additional public health impact from social distancing measures, especially in the boys. Note that the difference in incidence of intussusception for years 2010–2019 vs. 2020 was not significant for January and February, as the NPIs were implemented after February of 2020.

This study is limited by accuracy of case ascertainment of each intussusception cases. More so, it is important to address the magnitude of diagnostic delays during the COVID-19 associated lockdowns.5 Further, were unable to obtain individual data on other recognized risk or protective factors. Despite these, this is the first study to evaluate the impact of NPI implementation on incidence of intussusception at a national level.

In conclusion, our nationwide population study showed an association between NPI implementation and reduction of intussusception incidence, with more profound reduction in boys compared to that in girls. Future study should focus on other sex-related mediators causing intussusception and better understanding of the mechanism leading to intussusception, particularly following vaccinating against rotavirus.