Neurology: muscular weakness: 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 · Neurology: muscular weakness

Sample item

An infant has hypotonia, tongue fasciculations, absent reflexes, and paradoxical breathing. Which diagnosis is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy is an anterior-horn-cell disorder causing symmetric hypotonia, weakness, areflexia, tongue fasciculations, and respiratory muscle weakness. Early specialist care is essential.

Option by option

  • A. Cerebral palsy

    Cerebral palsy usually causes upper-motor-neuron signs such as spasticity.

  • B. Autism spectrum disorder

    Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition without this motor-neuron pattern.

  • C. Duchenne muscular dystrophy

    Duchenne generally presents later with proximal weakness and preserved reflexes early.

  • D. Spinal muscular atrophy (correct)

    Correct. Lower-motor-neuron signs in infancy fit SMA.

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 D, Spinal muscular atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy is an anterior-horn-cell disorder causing symmetric hypotonia, weakness, areflexia, tongue fasciculations, and respiratory muscle weakness.

Why is "Cerebral palsy" not the answer?

Cerebral palsy usually causes upper-motor-neuron signs such as spasticity.

Why is "Autism spectrum disorder" not the answer?

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition without this motor-neuron pattern.

Why is "Duchenne muscular dystrophy" not the answer?

Duchenne generally presents later with proximal weakness and preserved reflexes early.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: muscular weakness in Pediatrics. Early specialist care is essential.

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 Neurology: muscular weakness?

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.