Growth and development: delayed fontanelle closure: 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 and development: delayed fontanelle closure

Sample item

A 14-month-old has a large open anterior fontanelle, frontal bossing, and a rachitic rosary. Which cause of delayed fontanelle closure is most consistent?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Rickets

Delayed fontanelle closure occurs in hypothyroidism, rickets, achondroplasia, and raised intracranial pressure. The rachitic rosary and frontal bossing point to rickets.

Option by option

  • A. Craniosynostosis

    Craniosynostosis causes premature suture fusion and an abnormal head shape, not a wide fontanelle.

  • B. Hyperthyroidism

    Hyperthyroidism does not delay closure; congenital hypothyroidism does.

  • C. Microcephaly

    Microcephaly is associated with early fontanelle closure, not delay.

  • D. Rickets (correct)

    Correct. Rickets causes delayed closure with bossing and rosary.

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 D, Rickets. Delayed fontanelle closure occurs in hypothyroidism, rickets, achondroplasia, and raised intracranial pressure.

Why is "Craniosynostosis" not the answer?

Craniosynostosis causes premature suture fusion and an abnormal head shape, not a wide fontanelle.

Why is "Hyperthyroidism" not the answer?

Hyperthyroidism does not delay closure; congenital hypothyroidism does.

Why is "Microcephaly" not the answer?

Microcephaly is associated with early fontanelle closure, not delay.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: delayed fontanelle closure in Pediatrics. The rachitic rosary and frontal bossing point to rickets.

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 and development: delayed fontanelle closure?

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.