Neonatology: respiratory distress syndrome: 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: respiratory distress syndrome

Sample item

A very premature newborn has grunting, nasal flaring, retractions, and diffuse ground-glass lung appearance shortly after birth. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is caused by surfactant deficiency in premature infants and produces early respiratory distress with diffuse reticulogranular or ground-glass radiographic changes. Antenatal steroids and surfactant therapy reduce morbidity.

Option by option

  • A. Croup

    Croup occurs in older infants and toddlers.

  • B. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Prematurity and early diffuse respiratory distress indicate surfactant deficiency.

  • C. Bronchiolitis

    Bronchiolitis is a viral illness of later infancy.

  • D. Meconium aspiration syndrome

    Meconium aspiration occurs mainly in term or post-term infants with meconium exposure.

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, Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is caused by surfactant deficiency in premature infants and produces early respiratory distress with diffuse reticulogranular or ground-glass radiographic changes.

Why is "Croup" not the answer?

Croup occurs in older infants and toddlers.

Why is "Bronchiolitis" not the answer?

Bronchiolitis is a viral illness of later infancy.

Why is "Meconium aspiration syndrome" not the answer?

Meconium aspiration occurs mainly in term or post-term infants with meconium exposure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: respiratory distress syndrome in Pediatrics. Antenatal steroids and surfactant therapy reduce morbidity.

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 Neonatology: respiratory distress syndrome?

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.