Multiple pregnancy: mirror syndrome: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Multiple pregnancy: mirror syndrome

Sample item

A woman at 26 weeks with a hydropic fetus caused by a large sacrococcygeal teratoma develops generalised oedema, hypertension and haemodilution. Which term describes this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Mirror (Ballantyne) syndrome

Mirror syndrome is a preeclampsia-like illness in a mother whose fetus has hydrops, so the maternal oedema mirrors the fetal state. It is associated with placentomegaly and haemodilution rather than haemoconcentration. Resolution follows treatment of the fetal condition or delivery.

Option by option

  • A. Mirror (Ballantyne) syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Maternal oedema and hypertension that mirror fetal hydrops are known as mirror syndrome.

  • B. Sheehan syndrome

    Sheehan syndrome is postpartum pituitary necrosis.

  • C. HELLP syndrome

    HELLP is defined by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets.

  • D. Peripartum cardiomyopathy

    Peripartum cardiomyopathy presents with heart failure late in pregnancy or the puerperium.

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 OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is A, Mirror (Ballantyne) syndrome. Mirror syndrome is a preeclampsia-like illness in a mother whose fetus has hydrops, so the maternal oedema mirrors the fetal state.

Why is "Sheehan syndrome" not the answer?

Sheehan syndrome is postpartum pituitary necrosis.

Why is "HELLP syndrome" not the answer?

HELLP is defined by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets.

Why is "Peripartum cardiomyopathy" not the answer?

Peripartum cardiomyopathy presents with heart failure late in pregnancy or the puerperium.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Multiple pregnancy: mirror syndrome in OBG. It is associated with placentomegaly and haemodilution rather than haemoconcentration. Resolution follows treatment of the fetal condition or delivery.

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 Multiple pregnancy: mirror syndrome?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.