Growth and development: upper to lower segment ratio: 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: upper to lower segment ratio

Sample item

A 10-year-old child has short stature with an upper to lower segment ratio of 1.3. What is the approximate normal ratio at this age, and what does this finding suggest?

ANormal is about 1.0, so the ratio suggests a short-limbed or hypothyroid patternBNormal is 0.5, so the limbs are too longCNormal is 2.0, so the trunk is too shortDNormal is 1.7, so the child is normal

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Normal is about 1.0, so the ratio suggests a short-limbed or hypothyroid pattern

The upper to lower segment ratio is about 1.7 at birth and falls to 1.0 by 7 to 10 years. A persistently raised ratio indicates relatively short limbs, as in hypothyroidism or rickets.

Option by option

A. Normal is about 1.0, so the ratio suggests a short-limbed or hypothyroid pattern (correct)
Correct. The ratio should be near 1.0 by this age, so 1.3 is abnormally high.
B. Normal is 0.5, so the limbs are too long
A ratio of 0.5 is not physiological at any age in childhood.
C. Normal is 2.0, so the trunk is too short
A ratio of 2.0 is never normal in childhood.
D. Normal is 1.7, so the child is normal
1.7 is the newborn value, not the value at 10 years.

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.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Normal is about 1.0, so the ratio suggests a short-limbed or hypothyroid pattern. The upper to lower segment ratio is about 1.

Why is "Normal is 0.5, so the limbs are too long" not the answer?

A ratio of 0.5 is not physiological at any age in childhood.

Why is "Normal is 2.0, so the trunk is too short" not the answer?

A ratio of 2.0 is never normal in childhood.

Why is "Normal is 1.7, so the child is normal" not the answer?

1.7 is the newborn value, not the value at 10 years.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: upper to lower segment ratio in Pediatrics. 7 at birth and falls to 1.0 by 7 to 10 years. A persistently raised ratio indicates relatively short limbs, as in hypothyroidism or 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: upper to lower segment ratio?

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.