Which clinical features support suspicion of intussusception in an infant?

• A. Vomiting without abdominal pain.
• B. Persistent cough and wheeze.
• C. Generalized rash with fever.
• D. Paroxysmal abdominal pain with episodes of drawing the knees to the chest and currant jelly stools.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is recognizing the classic presentation of intussusception in an infant: sudden, severe abdominal pain that comes in fits, with the infant often curling up by drawing the knees to the chest, and the passage of currant jelly stools due to blood and mucus from mucosal ischemia. This combination—paroxysmal abdominal pain with knee-chest positioning and currant jelly stools—fits the pattern physicians look for and strongly suggests intussusception, prompting urgent imaging and management. Other signs listed don’t fit this abdominal-telescoping pattern: vomiting can occur but isn’t specific, respiratory symptoms point away from an abdominal cause, and a generalized rash with fever isn’t characteristic of intussusception.