Systemic paediatrics: ventricular septal defect: 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 · Systemic paediatrics: ventricular septal defect

Sample item

A 2-month-old has a loud pansystolic murmur at the left lower sternal border with a small muscular defect on echocardiography, with good weight gain and no heart failure. What is the expected course?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Spontaneous closure is likely, so observe

VSD is the commonest congenital heart defect overall, and small muscular defects often close spontaneously in the first years of life. Surgery is for large defects with failure to thrive, heart failure or pulmonary hypertension.

Option by option

  • A. Immediate surgical closure

    Surgery is not needed for a small asymptomatic defect.

  • B. Balloon valvotomy

    Valvotomy treats pulmonary stenosis and not VSD.

  • C. Spontaneous closure is likely, so observe (correct)

    Correct. Small muscular VSDs commonly close on their own.

  • D. Lifelong anticoagulation

    Anticoagulation has no role.

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 C, Spontaneous closure is likely, so observe. VSD is the commonest congenital heart defect overall, and small muscular defects often close spontaneously in the first years of life.

Why is "Immediate surgical closure" not the answer?

Surgery is not needed for a small asymptomatic defect.

Why is "Balloon valvotomy" not the answer?

Valvotomy treats pulmonary stenosis and not VSD.

Why is "Lifelong anticoagulation" not the answer?

Anticoagulation has no role.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic paediatrics: ventricular septal defect in Pediatrics. Surgery is for large defects with failure to thrive, heart failure or pulmonary hypertension.

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 Systemic paediatrics: ventricular septal defect?

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.