Rheumatology: IgA vasculitis: 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 · Rheumatology: IgA vasculitis

Sample item

A 6-year-old boy has a palpable purpuric rash on the buttocks and legs, joint pains, colicky abdominal pain and mild haematuria two weeks after a sore throat. Platelet count and coagulation tests are normal. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura)

IgA vasculitis is a small-vessel vasculitis in children with palpable purpura on the lower limbs and buttocks, arthritis, abdominal pain and nephritis. The platelet count is normal, which distinguishes it from thrombocytopenic purpura. Complications include intussusception and nephritis, so urine and blood pressure are followed for several months.

Option by option

  • A. Meningococcal septicaemia

    Meningococcal septicaemia presents with a toxic child and fever, and is not mild with normal clotting.

  • B. IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura) (correct)

    Correct. Palpable purpura, arthritis, abdominal pain and nephritis with normal platelets point to this disorder.

  • C. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

    Leukaemia usually shows cytopenias on a blood count.

  • D. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

    ITP gives non-palpable petechiae with a low platelet count.

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 B, IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura). IgA vasculitis is a small-vessel vasculitis in children with palpable purpura on the lower limbs and buttocks, arthritis, abdominal pain and nephritis.

Why is "Meningococcal septicaemia" not the answer?

Meningococcal septicaemia presents with a toxic child and fever, and is not mild with normal clotting.

Why is "Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia" not the answer?

Leukaemia usually shows cytopenias on a blood count.

Why is "Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura" not the answer?

ITP gives non-palpable petechiae with a low platelet count.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology: IgA vasculitis in Pediatrics. The platelet count is normal, which distinguishes it from thrombocytopenic purpura. Complications include intussusception and nephritis, so urine and blood pressure are followed for several months.

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 Rheumatology: IgA vasculitis?

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.