Neonatology: hypoglycemia: 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: hypoglycemia

Sample item

A jittery newborn of a mother with diabetes has poor feeding and low blood glucose. What is the likely mechanism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Fetal hyperinsulinemia after loss of maternal glucose supply

Maternal hyperglycemia stimulates fetal pancreatic insulin production. After delivery, maternal glucose supply stops while neonatal hyperinsulinemia persists, causing hypoglycemia.

Option by option

  • A. Vitamin K deficiency

    Vitamin K deficiency causes bleeding risk.

  • B. Excess cortisol production

    Cortisol excess raises glucose availability.

  • C. Fetal hyperinsulinemia after loss of maternal glucose supply (correct)

    Correct. Persistent fetal insulin drives postnatal glucose fall.

  • D. Congenital absence of insulin

    Insulin absence causes hyperglycemia rather than hypoglycemia.

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, Fetal hyperinsulinemia after loss of maternal glucose supply. Maternal hyperglycemia stimulates fetal pancreatic insulin production.

Why is "Vitamin K deficiency" not the answer?

Vitamin K deficiency causes bleeding risk.

Why is "Excess cortisol production" not the answer?

Cortisol excess raises glucose availability.

Why is "Congenital absence of insulin" not the answer?

Insulin absence causes hyperglycemia rather than hypoglycemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: hypoglycemia in Pediatrics. After delivery, maternal glucose supply stops while neonatal hyperinsulinemia persists, causing hypoglycemia.

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: hypoglycemia?

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.