Growth and development: head and chest circumference crossover: 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: head and chest circumference crossover

Sample item

At what age does chest circumference normally become equal to head circumference?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. About 1 year

At birth the head is larger than the chest, and the two are equal at about 1 year. After this the chest becomes larger than the head.

Option by option

  • A. At birth

    At birth the head is about 2 to 3 cm larger than the chest.

  • B. About 1 year (correct)

    Correct. The crossover occurs at approximately 1 year.

  • C. About 3 years

    By 3 years the chest circumference already exceeds the head.

  • D. About 6 months

    At 6 months the head is still clearly larger than the chest.

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, About 1 year. At birth the head is larger than the chest, and the two are equal at about 1 year.

Why is "At birth" not the answer?

At birth the head is about 2 to 3 cm larger than the chest.

Why is "About 3 years" not the answer?

By 3 years the chest circumference already exceeds the head.

Why is "About 6 months" not the answer?

At 6 months the head is still clearly larger than the chest.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: head and chest circumference crossover in Pediatrics. After this the chest becomes larger than the 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 Growth and development: head and chest circumference crossover?

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.