Paediatric infections: leprosy in children: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Paediatric infections: leprosy in children

Sample item

A 10-year-old has multiple hypopigmented anaesthetic patches over 6 body areas and a positive slit skin smear. Which regimen is used?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Multibacillary MDT with rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone for 12 months

More than five skin lesions or a positive smear makes the case multibacillary. WHO uniform MDT now uses rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone for 12 months, with doses scaled for children.

Option by option

  • A. Rifampicin alone for 3 months

    Rifampicin alone is not adequate.

  • B. Paucibacillary MDT for 6 months

    PB disease has five or fewer lesions and is treated for 6 months.

  • C. Multibacillary MDT with rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone for 12 months (correct)

    Correct. MB leprosy needs 12 months of three drugs.

  • D. Dapsone alone for 5 years

    Monotherapy causes resistance.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Multibacillary MDT with rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone for 12 months. More than five skin lesions or a positive smear makes the case multibacillary.

Why is "Rifampicin alone for 3 months" not the answer?

Rifampicin alone is not adequate.

Why is "Paucibacillary MDT for 6 months" not the answer?

PB disease has five or fewer lesions and is treated for 6 months.

Why is "Dapsone alone for 5 years" not the answer?

Monotherapy causes resistance.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric infections: leprosy in children in Pediatrics. WHO uniform MDT now uses rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone for 12 months, with doses scaled for children.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric infections: leprosy in children?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.