Which condition might present with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody mucus in the stool?

Intussusception is a condition in which a part of the intestine telescopes into an adjacent segment, leading to obstruction and potential ischemia. This situation can result in severe abdominal pain, which is often described as colicky in nature. The pain occurs intermittently and can be severe enough to cause significant distress in the affected child.

Additionally, vomiting is a common symptom as the obstruction prevents the normal passage of food and fluid through the gastrointestinal tract. As the condition progresses, the compromised blood supply can lead to damage of the intestinal wall, causing it to bleed. The presence of bloody mucus in the stool, often described as "currant jelly stools," is a classic sign of intussusception, indicating both bleeding and the presence of mucus due to inflammation of the affected area.

In summary, the combination of severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and the specific characteristic of bloody mucus in the stool are hallmark signs that point directly to intussusception, making it the correct diagnosis in this scenario.