Nutrition and malnutrition: iodine deficiency disorders: 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 · Nutrition and malnutrition: iodine deficiency disorders

Sample item

A child born in a goitre-endemic area has a short stature, coarse features, umbilical hernia, deaf-mutism and intellectual disability. Which condition does this represent, and what is the main public health measure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Endemic cretinism; universal salt iodisation

Endemic cretinism results from severe iodine deficiency during fetal life and infancy. Salt iodisation is the main strategy for prevention of iodine deficiency disorders.

Option by option

  • A. Rickets; vitamin D fortification

    Rickets does not cause deaf-mutism or goitre.

  • B. Endemic cretinism; universal salt iodisation (correct)

    Correct. Iodine deficiency causes cretinism and is prevented by iodised salt.

  • C. Turner syndrome; growth hormone

    Turner syndrome is seen in girls with 45,X.

  • D. Down syndrome; folic acid fortification

    Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder not prevented by fortification.

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, Endemic cretinism; universal salt iodisation. Endemic cretinism results from severe iodine deficiency during fetal life and infancy.

Why is "Rickets; vitamin D fortification" not the answer?

Rickets does not cause deaf-mutism or goitre.

Why is "Turner syndrome; growth hormone" not the answer?

Turner syndrome is seen in girls with 45,X.

Why is "Down syndrome; folic acid fortification" not the answer?

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder not prevented by fortification.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition and malnutrition: iodine deficiency disorders in Pediatrics. Salt iodisation is the main strategy for prevention of iodine deficiency disorders.

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 Nutrition and malnutrition: iodine deficiency disorders?

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.