Neonatology: meconium aspiration: 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: meconium aspiration

Sample item

A term newborn delivered through meconium-stained fluid has respiratory distress and patchy coarse pulmonary infiltrates. What is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Meconium aspiration syndrome

Meconium aspiration syndrome follows inhalation of meconium-contaminated amniotic fluid and causes airway obstruction, chemical pneumonitis, and variable infiltrates. It is more common in term or post-term infants.

Option by option

  • A. Apnea of prematurity

    Apnea of prematurity causes pauses in breathing without this infiltration pattern.

  • B. Meconium aspiration syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Meconium exposure with patchy respiratory disease is characteristic.

  • C. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

    Surfactant-deficiency RDS is usually diffuse in very premature infants.

  • D. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

    Diaphragmatic hernia causes bowel sounds in the chest and scaphoid abdomen.

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, Meconium aspiration syndrome. Meconium aspiration syndrome follows inhalation of meconium-contaminated amniotic fluid and causes airway obstruction, chemical pneumonitis, and variable infiltrates.

Why is "Apnea of prematurity" not the answer?

Apnea of prematurity causes pauses in breathing without this infiltration pattern.

Why is "Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome" not the answer?

Surfactant-deficiency RDS is usually diffuse in very premature infants.

Why is "Congenital diaphragmatic hernia" not the answer?

Diaphragmatic hernia causes bowel sounds in the chest and scaphoid abdomen.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: meconium aspiration in Pediatrics. It is more common in term or post-term infants.

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: meconium aspiration?

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.