An 8-month-old presents with symptoms suggestive of a serious condition. What is the most likely diagnosis given the history of currant jelly stools?

The presence of currant jelly stools in an 8-month-old is highly indicative of intussusception. This condition occurs when a part of the intestine telescopes into an adjacent segment, which can lead to obstruction and impede blood flow to that section of the bowel. The result of this obstruction and the breakdown of intestinal tissue can cause the characteristic currant jelly appearance of the stools, which is a mixture of blood and mucus.

Intussusception is a serious condition that typically presents in young children and requires prompt medical attention, often necessitating intervention either through imaging and reduction techniques or surgery. It often presents with abdominal pain, vomiting, and sometimes a palpable abdominal mass, alongside the notable stool changes.

In contrast, pyloric stenosis generally leads to projectile vomiting and electrolyte imbalances, but does not typically present with currant jelly stools. Lactose intolerance can cause diarrhea and abdominal symptoms but lacks the distinctive appearance of stools seen in intussusception. Finally, inflammatory bowel disease is more complex and usually presents with chronic symptoms, rather than the acute signs seen in a case of intussusception, and currant jelly stools are not a classic feature of such diseases. Thus, intussusception is the most fitting diagnosis based on the