Maternal and child health: perinatal mortality: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Maternal and child health: perinatal mortality

Sample item

The numerator of the perinatal mortality rate in India includes:

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Stillbirths after 28 weeks and deaths in the first 7 days of life

Perinatal deaths are late fetal deaths (stillbirths at or after 28 weeks, as in the national definition) plus early neonatal deaths in the first week. Neonatal mortality covers the first 28 days.

Option by option

  • A. Deaths in the first 28 days only

    Deaths in the first 28 days define neonatal mortality.

  • B. Stillbirths after 28 weeks and deaths in the first 7 days of life (correct)

    Correct. Late stillbirths plus early neonatal deaths.

  • C. Stillbirths before 20 weeks and neonatal deaths

    Early fetal losses are abortions, not perinatal deaths.

  • D. Deaths under 5 years of age

    Under-five deaths define the under-five mortality rate.

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 PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Stillbirths after 28 weeks and deaths in the first 7 days of life. Perinatal deaths are late fetal deaths (stillbirths at or after 28 weeks, as in the national definition) plus early neonatal deaths in the first week.

Why is "Deaths in the first 28 days only" not the answer?

Deaths in the first 28 days define neonatal mortality.

Why is "Stillbirths before 20 weeks and neonatal deaths" not the answer?

Early fetal losses are abortions, not perinatal deaths.

Why is "Deaths under 5 years of age" not the answer?

Under-five deaths define the under-five mortality rate.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maternal and child health: perinatal mortality in PSM. Neonatal mortality covers the first 28 days.

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 Maternal and child health: perinatal mortality?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.