Seventy-six black patients with intussusception are reviewed. Infants (59%) presented with features similar to classic intussusception; ileocolic lesions were most common (80%) and a high resection rate (36%) was the sequel to delay in presentation. Children over 2 years of age (41%) presented with a pattern of 'tropical' intussusception in which primary colocolic lesions predominated (55%) and leading points were rare (3,5%). A high percentage of older children appears to characterize series from tropical areas. The relative proportions of these groups may vary between, and within, geographical regions and differing causes are likely. However, the management of both groups is similar. Hydrostatic reduction was not effective in those patients in whom it was attempted.