Which clinical features are commonly associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection in children?

Which clinical features are commonly associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection in children?

• A. Fever, bloody diarrhea, and right lower quadrant abdominal pain
• B. Watery diarrhea without blood
• C. Severe coughing fits
• D. Rash with vesicles

Answer: (B)

Yersinia enterocolitica infection in children often presents with fever and abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant due to mesenteric lymphadenitis, which can mimic appendicitis. The diarrhea is typically watery and nonbloody, making nonbloody diarrhea the most characteristic feature in kids. Bloody diarrhea occurs more with other enteric pathogens such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, or Shigella, which can also cause similar abdominal pain but with blood in stool. The other options describe symptoms not associated with this infection: severe coughing fits are respiratory, and a vesicular rash points to a viral vesicular illness. So watery diarrhea without blood best fits the common pediatric presentation.

Yersinia enterocolitica infection in children often presents with fever and abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant due to mesenteric lymphadenitis, which can mimic appendicitis. The diarrhea is typically watery and nonbloody, making nonbloody diarrhea the most characteristic feature in kids. Bloody diarrhea occurs more with other enteric pathogens such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, or Shigella, which can also cause similar abdominal pain but with blood in stool. The other options describe symptoms not associated with this infection: severe coughing fits are respiratory, and a vesicular rash points to a viral vesicular illness. So watery diarrhea without blood best fits the common pediatric presentation.