Intussusception presenting with fluctuating mental status changes

Abstract

We report a 5 months old boy who was admitted to the PICU because of fluctuating level of consciousness. An extensive workup in search for infectious, neurologic, toxicologic and metabolic etiologies was done. Although abdominal symptoms were absent, he eventually was diagnosed with intussusception which needed surgery to recover. Intussusception should be included in the differential diagnosis of infants presenting with unexplained neurologic symptoms, ensuring timely diagnosis, treatment, and improved outcome.

Keywords

• Child
• Differential diagnosis
• Encephalopathy
• Intussusception
• General surgery
• Medical education