Altered consciousness and shock in a malnourished child.

A 3-year 9-month-old child presented unresponsive, dehydrated, and in shock, a consequence of child neglect, abuse, and starvation. This scenario provides the vehicle for a discussion of three problems which can be precipitated by child neglect, specifically kwashiorkor, central pontine myelinolysis, and intellectual repercussions of malnutrition.