Nephrology: haemolytic uraemic syndrome: 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 · Nephrology: haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Sample item

A 3-year-old with bloody diarrhoea 5 days ago develops pallor, oliguria, anaemia with fragmented red cells and thrombocytopenia. Which organism is the usual cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7

Typical HUS is the triad of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury after Shiga toxin-producing E. coli diarrhoea. Treatment is supportive, including dialysis when needed. Antibiotics and antimotility agents are avoided as they can increase toxin release.

Option by option

  • A. Vibrio cholerae

    Cholera causes watery diarrhoea.

  • B. Giardia lamblia

    Giardia causes malabsorption.

  • C. Salmonella typhi

    Salmonella typhi causes enteric fever.

  • D. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (correct)

    Correct. STEC O157:H7 causes typical HUS.

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 D, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7. Typical HUS is the triad of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury after Shiga toxin-producing E.

Why is "Vibrio cholerae" not the answer?

Cholera causes watery diarrhoea.

Why is "Giardia lamblia" not the answer?

Giardia causes malabsorption.

Why is "Salmonella typhi" not the answer?

Salmonella typhi causes enteric fever.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nephrology: haemolytic uraemic syndrome in Pediatrics. coli diarrhoea. Treatment is supportive, including dialysis when needed. Antibiotics and antimotility agents are avoided as they can increase toxin release.

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 Nephrology: haemolytic uraemic syndrome?

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.