Growth and development: infantile growth phase: 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 · Growth and development: infantile growth phase

Sample item

A newborn with congenital growth hormone deficiency has a normal birth length, yet hypoglycaemia and a micropenis suggest the diagnosis. Why is the length at birth usually normal?

ASex steroids drive growth during the prenatal periodBThyroid hormone alone drives all growth in infancyCFetal and early infantile growth depend mainly on nutrition and insulin-like factors rather than GHDMaternal growth hormone crosses the placenta and sustains growth

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Fetal and early infantile growth depend mainly on nutrition and insulin-like factors rather than GH

In the infancy-childhood-puberty model of growth, prenatal and early infant growth is largely nutrition-dependent and GH-independent. The GH-dependent childhood phase begins from about 6 to 12 months, so growth failure becomes obvious only after infancy.

Option by option

A. Sex steroids drive growth during the prenatal period
Sex steroids are important in puberty, not for prenatal growth.
B. Thyroid hormone alone drives all growth in infancy
Thyroid hormone is essential but does not alone account for the normal length in GH deficiency.
C. Fetal and early infantile growth depend mainly on nutrition and insulin-like factors rather than GH (correct)
Correct. Early growth is nutrition and insulin-mediated; GH becomes dominant in childhood.
D. Maternal growth hormone crosses the placenta and sustains growth
Maternal GH is largely inactive in the fetus, as the placenta is poorly permeable to it.

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.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Fetal and early infantile growth depend mainly on nutrition and insulin-like factors rather than GH. In the infancy-childhood-puberty model of growth, prenatal and early infant growth is largely nutrition-dependent and GH-independent.

Why is "Sex steroids drive growth during the prenatal period" not the answer?

Sex steroids are important in puberty, not for prenatal growth.

Why is "Thyroid hormone alone drives all growth in infancy" not the answer?

Thyroid hormone is essential but does not alone account for the normal length in GH deficiency.

Why is "Maternal growth hormone crosses the placenta and sustains growth" not the answer?

Maternal GH is largely inactive in the fetus, as the placenta is poorly permeable to it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: infantile growth phase in Pediatrics. The GH-dependent childhood phase begins from about 6 to 12 months, so growth failure becomes obvious only after infancy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: infantile growth phase?

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.