[Munchausen's syndrome by proxy and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction]

A case of intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a 4 1/2 year-old boy is reported. All etiologic investigations remained negative. Management successively required continuous enteral feeding, ileostomy then total parental nutrition. The proof of a chronic barbiturate intoxication, induced by the mother, was made only after 2 1/2 years of follow-up, when the patient was in a critical condition. Separation of the child from his family led to complete disappearance of symptoms within a few days.