Pediatric neurology: 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 · Pediatric neurology

Sample item

An infant has a head circumference crossing percentile lines, a bulging anterior fontanelle, sunsetting eyes and dilated ventricles on ultrasound. What is the most common underlying mechanism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Obstruction of CSF flow or impaired absorption

Most cases are due to obstruction in the ventricular system or failure of arachnoid villus absorption, so CSF accumulates. Overproduction by a choroid plexus papilloma is rare. Atrophy enlarges ventricles without an enlarging head.

Option by option

  • A. Obstruction of CSF flow or impaired absorption (correct)

    Correct. Impaired flow or absorption is the usual mechanism.

  • B. Overproduction of CSF by the choroid plexus

    Overproduction is a rare cause.

  • C. Subdural collection of blood

    A subdural collection does not dilate the ventricles.

  • D. Cerebral atrophy with ex vacuo ventricular enlargement

    Atrophy gives a small, not enlarging, head.

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, Obstruction of CSF flow or impaired absorption. Most cases are due to obstruction in the ventricular system or failure of arachnoid villus absorption, so CSF accumulates.

Why is "Overproduction of CSF by the choroid plexus" not the answer?

Overproduction is a rare cause.

Why is "Subdural collection of blood" not the answer?

A subdural collection does not dilate the ventricles.

Why is "Cerebral atrophy with ex vacuo ventricular enlargement" not the answer?

Atrophy gives a small, not enlarging, head.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pediatric neurology in Pediatrics. Overproduction by a choroid plexus papilloma is rare. Atrophy enlarges ventricles without an enlarging head.

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 Pediatric neurology?

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.