Gastroenterology: biliary atresia: 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: biliary atresia

Sample item

A 5-week-old has persistent jaundice, pale stools, dark urine, hepatomegaly, and elevated conjugated bilirubin. What diagnosis requires urgent referral?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Biliary atresia

Biliary atresia causes obstructive conjugated jaundice, acholic stools, and progressive liver damage in infancy. Early specialist intervention offers the best chance of preserving bile flow.

Option by option

  • A. Physiologic neonatal jaundice

    Physiologic jaundice is unconjugated and resolves earlier.

  • B. Breast-milk jaundice only

    Breast-milk jaundice does not cause pale stools or conjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

  • C. Biliary atresia (correct)

    Correct. Pale stools with conjugated jaundice are a major red flag.

  • D. Gilbert syndrome

    Gilbert syndrome is mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in older children or adults.

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, Biliary atresia. Biliary atresia causes obstructive conjugated jaundice, acholic stools, and progressive liver damage in infancy.

Why is "Physiologic neonatal jaundice" not the answer?

Physiologic jaundice is unconjugated and resolves earlier.

Why is "Breast-milk jaundice only" not the answer?

Breast-milk jaundice does not cause pale stools or conjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

Why is "Gilbert syndrome" not the answer?

Gilbert syndrome is mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in older children or adults.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastroenterology: biliary atresia in Pediatrics. Early specialist intervention offers the best chance of preserving bile flow.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: biliary atresia?

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.