Nutrition and malnutrition: raw egg white and biotin: 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 · Nutrition and malnutrition: raw egg white and biotin

Sample item

A toddler who for months has eaten large amounts of raw egg white develops scaly periorificial dermatitis, alopecia and hypotonia. Which deficiency explains this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Biotin

Avidin in raw egg white binds biotin tightly and prevents its absorption, so heavy raw-egg intake causes biotin deficiency. Cooking denatures avidin. The picture of dermatitis, hair loss and hypotonia also occurs in biotinidase deficiency.

Option by option

  • A. Biotin (correct)

    Correct. Avidin in raw egg white binds biotin and makes it unavailable.

  • B. Pyridoxine

    Pyridoxine deficiency presents mainly with seizures and irritability.

  • C. Zinc

    Zinc deficiency gives a similar rash but not a link to egg white.

  • D. Niacin

    Niacin deficiency gives photosensitive dermatitis with diarrhoea and dementia.

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 A, Biotin. Avidin in raw egg white binds biotin tightly and prevents its absorption, so heavy raw-egg intake causes biotin deficiency.

Why is "Pyridoxine" not the answer?

Pyridoxine deficiency presents mainly with seizures and irritability.

Why is "Zinc" not the answer?

Zinc deficiency gives a similar rash but not a link to egg white.

Why is "Niacin" not the answer?

Niacin deficiency gives photosensitive dermatitis with diarrhoea and dementia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition and malnutrition: raw egg white and biotin in Pediatrics. Cooking denatures avidin. The picture of dermatitis, hair loss and hypotonia also occurs in biotinidase deficiency.

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 Nutrition and malnutrition: raw egg white and biotin?

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.