Growth: constitutional delay: 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: constitutional delay

Sample item

A 14-year-old boy has short stature, delayed bone age, no pubertal signs and a father who reached puberty late. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Constitutional delay of growth and puberty

Constitutional delay produces short stature with delayed bone age and a positive family history of late maturation. Growth continues for longer and the final height is usually normal. In familial short stature bone age matches chronological age and puberty is on time.

Option by option

  • A. Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (correct)

    Correct. Delayed bone age and late puberty in the family indicate constitutional delay.

  • B. Growth hormone deficiency

    GH deficiency shows poor growth velocity and is rarely with a family history of late puberty.

  • C. Familial short stature

    In familial short stature bone age is normal and puberty is timely.

  • D. Turner-like syndrome

    Turner syndrome affects girls.

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, Constitutional delay of growth and puberty. Constitutional delay produces short stature with delayed bone age and a positive family history of late maturation.

Why is "Growth hormone deficiency" not the answer?

GH deficiency shows poor growth velocity and is rarely with a family history of late puberty.

Why is "Familial short stature" not the answer?

In familial short stature bone age is normal and puberty is timely.

Why is "Turner-like syndrome" not the answer?

Turner syndrome affects girls.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth: constitutional delay in Pediatrics. Growth continues for longer and the final height is usually normal. In familial short stature bone age matches chronological age and puberty is on time.

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 Growth: constitutional delay?

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.