Gastroenterology: Hirschsprung disease: 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 · Gastroenterology: Hirschsprung disease

Sample item

A newborn fails to pass meconium in the first 48 hours and later has abdominal distension with explosive stool after rectal examination. What is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hirschsprung disease

Hirschsprung disease is congenital absence of enteric ganglion cells in distal bowel, causing functional obstruction, delayed meconium, and abdominal distension. Rectal biopsy confirms diagnosis.

Option by option

  • A. Pyloric stenosis

    Pyloric stenosis causes nonbilious vomiting, not distal obstruction.

  • B. Hirschsprung disease (correct)

    Correct. Delayed meconium and explosive decompression are classic clues.

  • C. Intussusception

    Intussusception causes episodic pain and currant-jelly stool later in infancy.

  • D. Gastroesophageal reflux

    Reflux causes regurgitation rather than obstruction.

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, Hirschsprung disease. Hirschsprung disease is congenital absence of enteric ganglion cells in distal bowel, causing functional obstruction, delayed meconium, and abdominal distension.

Why is "Pyloric stenosis" not the answer?

Pyloric stenosis causes nonbilious vomiting, not distal obstruction.

Why is "Intussusception" not the answer?

Intussusception causes episodic pain and currant-jelly stool later in infancy.

Why is "Gastroesophageal reflux" not the answer?

Reflux causes regurgitation rather than obstruction.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology: Hirschsprung disease in Pediatrics. Rectal biopsy confirms diagnosis.

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 Gastroenterology: Hirschsprung disease?

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.