Neonatology: infant of diabetic mother: 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: infant of diabetic mother

Sample item

A macrosomic newborn of a poorly controlled diabetic mother is jittery and has a systolic murmur with septal hypertrophy on echo. Which pair of complications is also typical?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Hypocalcaemia and small left colon syndrome

Infants of diabetic mothers are prone to macrosomia, hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, polycythaemia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and small left colon syndrome. Caudal regression is the characteristic malformation.

Option by option

  • A. Hypercalcaemia and Hirschsprung disease

    These infants have hypocalcaemia, not hypercalcaemia.

  • B. Microcephaly and cataract

    Microcephaly and cataract are not classic features.

  • C. Polycythaemia only with hypoglycaemia absent

    Hypoglycaemia is typical rather than absent.

  • D. Hypocalcaemia and small left colon syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Hypocalcaemia and small left colon are recognised complications.

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, Hypocalcaemia and small left colon syndrome. Infants of diabetic mothers are prone to macrosomia, hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, polycythaemia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and small left colon syndrome.

Why is "Hypercalcaemia and Hirschsprung disease" not the answer?

These infants have hypocalcaemia, not hypercalcaemia.

Why is "Microcephaly and cataract" not the answer?

Microcephaly and cataract are not classic features.

Why is "Polycythaemia only with hypoglycaemia absent" not the answer?

Hypoglycaemia is typical rather than absent.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: infant of diabetic mother in Pediatrics. Caudal regression is the characteristic malformation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: infant of diabetic mother?

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.