INDEX OF SUSPICION

Abstract

This section of Pediatrics in Review reminds clinicians of those conditions that can present in a misleading fashion and require suspicion for early diagnosis. Emphasis has been placed on conditions in which early diagnosis is important and that the general pediatrician might be expected to encounter, at least once in a while. The reader is encouraged to write possible diagnoses for each case before turning to the discussion, which is on the following page. We invite readers to contribute case presentations and discussions. Case 1 Presentation A mother is concerned because her 2-year-old son is "not as sure on his feet as he used to be." In the past 2 weeks she has noticed that he seems clumsy and is falling more than usual when playing or walking. His babysitter also has noticed this change in abilities, heightening the mother's concern. No other neurologic impairment is noted, and his play does not seem disrupted. The boy's medical history is unremarkable. Recently, he had a persistent middle ear infection that finally resolved after 1 month of treatment with three different antibiotics. He also has been having 6 to 12 loose stools a day. Clostridium difficile toxin has been isolated from his stool.