What is the most likely diagnosis for a 10-year-old male presenting with abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and anemia?

In this scenario, the symptoms of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and anemia are particularly indicative of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), especially in the context of a pediatric patient. HUS is characterized by a triad of symptoms: hemolytic anemia, acute kidney injury, and thrombocytopenia. The presence of bloody diarrhea often points towards a preceding infectious cause, frequently associated with infections from specific strains of Escherichia coli, such as E. coli O157:H7, which can lead to HUS.

While ulcerative colitis could potentially present with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, it is less common in this age group without a longer history of gastrointestinal symptoms. It also typically does not present with anemia as an immediate and acute feature to the degree seen with HUS.

Diverticulitis and appendicitis are less likely as they usually do not present with bloody diarrhea. These conditions typically involve localized abdominal pain and other features but do not connect to the systemic manifestations associated with HUS, such as the acute onset of anemia and the possibility of kidney involvement.

Thus, considering the acute presentation of bloody diarrhea alongside anemia in a young child, HUS is the most fitting diagnosis. It is important to act swiftly