Cardiology: Sydenham chorea: 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 · Cardiology: Sydenham chorea

Sample item

A 10-year-old girl has involuntary purposeless movements, emotional lability and milk-maid grip. Which statement is correct?

AASO titre is always raisedBIt is a feature of Huntington disease in this ageCIt leaves permanent neurological deficitsDIt is a major manifestation of rheumatic fever and may occur months after the infection

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. It is a major manifestation of rheumatic fever and may occur months after the infection

Sydenham chorea is a late manifestation of acute rheumatic fever, appearing 1 to 6 months after streptococcal infection, when ASO may already be normal. It is self-limited over months. Valproate or carbamazepine can control severe chorea, and secondary prophylaxis is started.

Option by option

A. ASO titre is always raised
ASO may be normal because of the long latency.
B. It is a feature of Huntington disease in this age
Huntington disease rarely presents at this age.
C. It leaves permanent neurological deficits
Recovery is usually complete.
D. It is a major manifestation of rheumatic fever and may occur months after the infection (correct)
Correct. Chorea is a late major criterion.

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.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, It is a major manifestation of rheumatic fever and may occur months after the infection. Sydenham chorea is a late manifestation of acute rheumatic fever, appearing 1 to 6 months after streptococcal infection, when ASO may already be normal.

Why is "ASO titre is always raised" not the answer?

ASO may be normal because of the long latency.

Why is "It is a feature of Huntington disease in this age" not the answer?

Huntington disease rarely presents at this age.

Why is "It leaves permanent neurological deficits" not the answer?

Recovery is usually complete.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiology: Sydenham chorea in Pediatrics. It is self-limited over months. Valproate or carbamazepine can control severe chorea, and secondary prophylaxis is started.

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 Cardiology: Sydenham chorea?

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.