Case Report: From behavioral disorder to surgical emergency: a case of intussusception due to pica in an adolescent.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pica is a complex behavioral condition with both psychological and biological components, characterized by the persistent ingestion of non-nutritive substances. It often coexists with other mental health conditions, and when left untreated, may lead to life-threatening medical complications. While gastrointestinal obstruction is a known outcome, intussusception caused by pica is extremely rare, particularly in adolescents.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 13-year-old Middle Eastern girl of mixed Emirati Indonesian descent, with a history of emotional distress and familial instability, who presented with persistent abdominal pain and vomiting. Imaging revealed an intussusception caused by foreign bodies extending from the stomach to the duodenum. The patient

SUBMITTER: Alhaj MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12634625 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature