Neurology: Duchenne muscular dystrophy: 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 · Neurology: Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Sample item

A boy has delayed walking, frequent falls, calf pseudohypertrophy, and uses hands to rise from the floor. What diagnosis is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked dystrophinopathy causing progressive proximal weakness, calf pseudohypertrophy, and Gowers sign. Cardiac and respiratory surveillance are important.

Option by option

  • A. Myasthenia gravis

    Myasthenia causes fluctuating fatigable weakness.

  • B. Spinal muscular atrophy type 1

    Type 1 SMA presents in infancy with severe hypotonia and weakness.

  • C. Cerebral palsy

    Cerebral palsy is nonprogressive and often has spasticity or asymmetry.

  • D. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (correct)

    Correct. Gowers maneuver and calf pseudohypertrophy are classic.

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 D, Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an X-linked dystrophinopathy causing progressive proximal weakness, calf pseudohypertrophy, and Gowers sign.

Why is "Myasthenia gravis" not the answer?

Myasthenia causes fluctuating fatigable weakness.

Why is "Spinal muscular atrophy type 1" not the answer?

Type 1 SMA presents in infancy with severe hypotonia and weakness.

Why is "Cerebral palsy" not the answer?

Cerebral palsy is nonprogressive and often has spasticity or asymmetry.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Pediatrics. Cardiac and respiratory surveillance are important.

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 Neurology: Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

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.