Four-month-old infant with intussusception presenting as altered mental status

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Pediatric Surgery
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Intussusception is a common cause of bowel obstruction in infants and young children.
• Classical symptoms include colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, and an abdominal mass.
• Delayed diagnosis can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.

Observation:

• A case report of a 4-month-old boy with neurological findings after a head injury.
• The infant's presentation mimicked a neurological event, masking the underlying intussusception.
• This unique presentation highlights the diagnostic challenges in pediatric intussusception.

Findings:

• Altered mental status was the only presenting symptom in this case.
• The diagnosis of intussusception was confirmed despite the absence of typical gastrointestinal signs.
• Prompt recognition and surgical intervention were crucial for a positive outcome.

Implications:

• Pediatric care providers must consider intussusception in infants presenting with altered mental status, even without classic symptoms.
• Early recognition of atypical presentations is vital to prevent life-threatening complications.
• This case underscores the importance of a broad differential diagnosis in pediatric emergencies.