A 10-month-old infant presents with acute intestinal obstruction. Contrast enema X-ray shows the intussusceptions, Likely cause is
First, the core concept here is intussusception in infants. Intussusception occurs when a part of the intestine telescopes into another part, which is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in this age group. The most common type is ileocolic, where the ileum slides into the colon.
The question is asking for the likely cause. In infants, especially around 10 months old, the most common cause is a lead point. A lead point is a small protrusion or mass that the intestine can fold around. In this age group, the most common lead point is a lymphoid hyperplasia, which is often related to viral infections. Another possibility is a polyp, but those are less common. In older children, tumors or other pathological masses might be more likely, but in infants, it's usually a benign condition.
Looking at the options (even though they aren't listed), the correct answer would be something like "Lymphoid hyperplasia" or "Viral infection causing lymphoid hyperplasia." Common distractors might include congenital malformations like Meckel's diverticulum (which is more common in younger children, but not typically at 10 months), or other structural issues like tumors, which are rare in this age group.
Wait, Meckel's diverticulum can act as a lead point, but it's more common in younger children. At 10 months, the peak incidence of intussusception is around 12-18 months, so Meckel's is still possible but less common than lymphoid hyperplasia. Also, Meckel's is present from birth but may not cause symptoms until later. Another possibility is a polyp, but again, less common.
So the correct answer is likely lymphoid hyperplasia as the lead point. The clinical pearl here is that in infants, viral infections can cause lymphoid hyperplasia, leading to intussusception. This is a high-yield fact for exams like NEET PG or USMLE.
Now, structuring the explanation with the required sections: Core Concept, why the correct answer is right, why wrong options are wrong, clinical pearl, and correct answer line. Need to make sure each section is concise and fits within the character limit. Also, avoid repeating the question and use bold labels for sections. Check for medical accuracy and precise terminology.
**Core Concept**
Intussusception in infants is a telescoping of one intestinal segment into another, commonly caused by a **lead point**—a protrusion that initiates the obstruction. The most frequent cause in this age group is **lymphoid hyperplasia**, often triggered by viral infections, leading to ileocolic intussusception.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Lymphoid hyperplasia in the terminal ileum is the most common lead point in infants, especially between 5-15 months. Viral infections like rotavirus cause hyperplasia of Peyer’s patches, which act as a nidus for intussusception. This mechanism explains the acute obstruction and is supported by the typical age of