Systemic paediatrics: Reye 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 · Systemic paediatrics: Reye syndrome

Sample item

A 7-year-old recovering from influenza and given aspirin develops persistent vomiting, then confusion and seizures, with raised ammonia and transaminases but a normal bilirubin. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Reye syndrome

Reye syndrome is a mitochondrial injury syndrome after viral infection and aspirin exposure, with fatty liver and encephalopathy with hyperammonaemia but little jaundice. Aspirin should be avoided in children with viral illness.

Option by option

  • A. Reye syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Aspirin after viral illness with encephalopathy fits.

  • B. Meningococcal meningitis

    Meningitis shows fever and neck stiffness with CSF changes.

  • C. Wilson disease

    Wilson disease shows Kayser-Fleischer rings and low ceruloplasmin.

  • D. Acute viral hepatitis

    Viral hepatitis causes jaundice and high bilirubin.

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 A, Reye syndrome. Reye syndrome is a mitochondrial injury syndrome after viral infection and aspirin exposure, with fatty liver and encephalopathy with hyperammonaemia but little jaundice.

Why is "Meningococcal meningitis" not the answer?

Meningitis shows fever and neck stiffness with CSF changes.

Why is "Wilson disease" not the answer?

Wilson disease shows Kayser-Fleischer rings and low ceruloplasmin.

Why is "Acute viral hepatitis" not the answer?

Viral hepatitis causes jaundice and high bilirubin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic paediatrics: Reye syndrome in Pediatrics. Aspirin should be avoided in children with viral illness.

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 Systemic paediatrics: Reye 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.