Neonatology: pulmonary hypoplasia: 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 · Neonatology: pulmonary hypoplasia

Sample item

A newborn with flattened facies, low-set ears and limb deformities is born after pregnancy complicated by severe oligohydramnios. He has severe respiratory distress with a pneumothorax. What is the underlying cause of the breathing problem?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pulmonary hypoplasia

Prolonged oligohydramnios, as in renal agenesis (Potter sequence), restricts lung growth and leaves hypoplastic lungs. These infants are difficult to ventilate and often develop pneumothorax. Surfactant deficiency occurs with prematurity.

Option by option

  • A. Transient tachypnoea

    Transient tachypnoea is a mild self-limiting problem and does not cause pneumothorax and facial deformity.

  • B. Pulmonary hypoplasia (correct)

    Correct. Lack of amniotic fluid limits lung development, giving pulmonary hypoplasia.

  • C. Meconium aspiration

    Meconium aspiration follows fetal distress in post-term babies.

  • D. Surfactant deficiency

    Surfactant deficiency is a disease of prematurity and not specific to oligohydramnios.

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 B, Pulmonary hypoplasia. Prolonged oligohydramnios, as in renal agenesis (Potter sequence), restricts lung growth and leaves hypoplastic lungs.

Why is "Transient tachypnoea" not the answer?

Transient tachypnoea is a mild self-limiting problem and does not cause pneumothorax and facial deformity.

Why is "Meconium aspiration" not the answer?

Meconium aspiration follows fetal distress in post-term babies.

Why is "Surfactant deficiency" not the answer?

Surfactant deficiency is a disease of prematurity and not specific to oligohydramnios.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: pulmonary hypoplasia in Pediatrics. These infants are difficult to ventilate and often develop pneumothorax. Surfactant deficiency occurs with prematurity.

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 Neonatology: pulmonary hypoplasia?

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.