An 8-year-old boy with altered mental status

Management of an acutely ill pediatric patient with undifferentiated altered mental status is a common challenge facing air medical crewmembers. The transport team is often the vital link between the referring agency and a tertiary care center; it is incumbent upon the team to be able to meet the challenges of patient management including airway management, providing hemodynamic support, and addressing presenting symptoms. This case presents a child with altered mental status and seizure activity requiring advanced interventions and support. His hospital course is described and reveals an encephalopathy caused by the Bartonella henselae bacterium also known as cat-scratch disease. This case shows the pathology, symptomology, and management along with the importance of proper management and interventions by air medical crewmembers to maximize outcomes.