Paediatric infections: sequelae of bacterial meningitis: 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 · Paediatric infections: sequelae of bacterial meningitis

Sample item

A 3-year-old is about to be discharged after recovering from pneumococcal meningitis. Which assessment is essential before or soon after discharge?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Audiological assessment for sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is the commonest sequela of bacterial meningitis, particularly with pneumococcus, and it can be missed in young children. Hearing should be tested before discharge or within weeks. Other sequelae include seizures, hydrocephalus and developmental delay.

Option by option

  • A. Repeat lumbar puncture to document sterility

    Repeat lumbar puncture is not routine in a child who is recovering well.

  • B. Renal ultrasound

    Renal complications are not expected after meningitis.

  • C. Audiological assessment for sensorineural hearing loss (correct)

    Correct. Hearing loss is common after meningitis and needs early testing.

  • D. Echocardiography for valvular lesions

    Valvular heart disease is not a recognised sequela of meningitis.

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, Audiological assessment for sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss is the commonest sequela of bacterial meningitis, particularly with pneumococcus, and it can be missed in young children.

Why is "Repeat lumbar puncture to document sterility" not the answer?

Repeat lumbar puncture is not routine in a child who is recovering well.

Why is "Renal ultrasound" not the answer?

Renal complications are not expected after meningitis.

Why is "Echocardiography for valvular lesions" not the answer?

Valvular heart disease is not a recognised sequela of meningitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric infections: sequelae of bacterial meningitis in Pediatrics. Hearing should be tested before discharge or within weeks. Other sequelae include seizures, hydrocephalus and developmental delay.

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 Paediatric infections: sequelae of bacterial meningitis?

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.