def check_dtype(**kwds):
    """ Check a dtype for h5py special type "hint" information.  Only one
    keyword may be given.

    vlen = dtype
        If the dtype represents an HDF5 vlen, returns the Python base class.
        Currently only builting string vlens (str) are supported.  Returns
        None if the dtype does not represent an HDF5 vlen.

    enum = dtype
        If the dtype represents an HDF5 enumerated type, returns the dictionary
        mapping string names to integer values.  Returns None if the dtype does
        not represent an HDF5 enumerated type.

    ref = dtype
        If the dtype represents an HDF5 reference type, returns the reference
        class (either Reference or RegionReference).  Returns None if the dtype
        does not represent an HDF5 reference type.
    """

    if len(kwds) != 1:
        raise TypeError("Exactly one keyword may be provided")

    name, dt = kwds.popitem()

    if name not in ('vlen', 'enum', 'ref'):
        raise TypeError('Unknown special type "%s"' % name)

    try:
        return dt.metadata[name]
    except TypeError:
        return None
    except KeyError:
        return None