Four-month-old infant with intussusception presenting as altered mental status. (10th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maldonado, Luis; Takagishi, Jennifer
• Is Part Of: SAGE open medical case reports. Volume 2(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-11-10
• Subjects: Altered mental status -- accidental trauma -- intussusception; Clinical medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 616.09
• DOI: 10.1177/2050313X14558903
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-313X

Abstract

Objective: To remind pediatric care providers that an altered mental status can be the only presenting symptom for intussusception, a life-threatening diagnosis. Method: A case report that presents a unique presentation of intussusception: a 4-month old boy with neurological findings after a reported head injury. Conclusion: Diagnosis of intussusception in the pediatric population is highly dependent on its classical presenting signs and symptoms: sudden severe colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, and an abdominal mass in children between 3 months and 6 years of age. Consider that an altered mental status can be the only presenting symptom.