Systemic paediatrics: Guillain-Barre 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.

Try it

Pediatrics · Systemic paediatrics: Guillain-Barre syndrome

Sample item

A 7-year-old has ascending symmetric weakness and absent knee jerks two weeks after a diarrhoeal illness. CSF shows high protein with 2 cells per microlitre. Which organism most commonly precedes this illness?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Campylobacter jejuni

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an immune-mediated neuropathy, often after Campylobacter jejuni infection through molecular mimicry with nerve gangliosides. CSF shows albuminocytological dissociation. IVIG or plasma exchange is given, and respiratory function is monitored.

Option by option

  • A. Salmonella typhi

    Salmonella is not a typical trigger.

  • B. Campylobacter jejuni (correct)

    Correct. Campylobacter jejuni is the commonest trigger.

  • C. Rotavirus

    Rotavirus is not linked to the syndrome.

  • D. Shigella dysenteriae

    Shigella causes dysentery and seizures but is not a typical cause.

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.

More Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Campylobacter jejuni. Guillain-Barre syndrome is an immune-mediated neuropathy, often after Campylobacter jejuni infection through molecular mimicry with nerve gangliosides.

Why is "Salmonella typhi" not the answer?

Salmonella is not a typical trigger.

Why is "Rotavirus" not the answer?

Rotavirus is not linked to the syndrome.

Why is "Shigella dysenteriae" not the answer?

Shigella causes dysentery and seizures but is not a typical cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic paediatrics: Guillain-Barre syndrome in Pediatrics. CSF shows albuminocytological dissociation. IVIG or plasma exchange is given, and respiratory function is monitored.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Systemic paediatrics: Guillain-Barre 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.