Neonatology: respiratory distress syndrome radiology: 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 · Neonatology: respiratory distress syndrome radiology

Sample item

A 29-week preterm develops grunting and retractions at 2 hours of life. The chest radiograph is most likely to show which pattern?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ground-glass haze with air bronchograms

Respiratory distress syndrome is due to surfactant deficiency and shows a diffuse ground-glass appearance with air bronchograms and low lung volumes. Fluid in the fissure suggests transient tachypnoea.

Option by option

  • A. Patchy opacities with hyperinflation

    Patchy opacities with hyperinflation suggest meconium aspiration.

  • B. Fluid in the horizontal fissure with prominent vascular markings

    This pattern is typical of transient tachypnoea of the newborn.

  • C. Ground-glass haze with air bronchograms (correct)

    Correct. This is the classic RDS picture.

  • D. Snowman sign

    The snowman sign is seen in supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return.

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.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Ground-glass haze with air bronchograms. Respiratory distress syndrome is due to surfactant deficiency and shows a diffuse ground-glass appearance with air bronchograms and low lung volumes.

Why is "Patchy opacities with hyperinflation" not the answer?

Patchy opacities with hyperinflation suggest meconium aspiration.

Why is "Fluid in the horizontal fissure with prominent vascular markings" not the answer?

This pattern is typical of transient tachypnoea of the newborn.

Why is "Snowman sign" not the answer?

The snowman sign is seen in supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: respiratory distress syndrome radiology in Pediatrics. Fluid in the fissure suggests transient tachypnoea.

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 Neonatology: respiratory distress syndrome radiology?

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.