Growth and development: familial short stature: 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.

Try it

Pediatrics · Growth and development: familial short stature

Sample item

A 6-year-old girl has height below the 3rd centile, normal growth velocity, bone age equal to chronological age, and both parents are short. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Familial short stature

In familial short stature the child tracks along a low centile with normal velocity, normal bone age and short parents. No investigation or treatment is usually needed.

Option by option

  • A. Constitutional delay of growth

    Constitutional delay has a delayed bone age and a late-maturing family history.

  • B. Familial short stature (correct)

    Correct. Normal velocity and bone age with short parents indicates the familial variant.

  • C. Hypothyroidism

    Hypothyroidism shows delayed bone age and slow growth.

  • D. Growth hormone deficiency

    GH deficiency shows reduced growth velocity.

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.

More Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Familial short stature. In familial short stature the child tracks along a low centile with normal velocity, normal bone age and short parents.

Why is "Constitutional delay of growth" not the answer?

Constitutional delay has a delayed bone age and a late-maturing family history.

Why is "Hypothyroidism" not the answer?

Hypothyroidism shows delayed bone age and slow growth.

Why is "Growth hormone deficiency" not the answer?

GH deficiency shows reduced growth velocity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: familial short stature in Pediatrics. No investigation or treatment is usually needed.

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 Growth and development: familial short stature?

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.