Recurrent intussusception in a 4-year-old male.

Acute abdominal pain in children is a common complaint in the emergency department. The etiology of abdominal pain in children can range from benign to life-threatening, and the clinical diagnosis and treatment must be timely and accurate. This case describes a 4-year-old boy with intussusception, a serious disorder with the potential for life-threatening consequences. Children with intussusception may be relatively asymptomatic or present as an acutely ill child with severe abdominal pain, lethargy, dehydration, and shock. Diagnosing intussusception may be very challenging. The purpose of this article is to discuss the pathophysiology, diagnostic workup, management, and follow-up of abdominal pain in a child.