Neurology: cerebral palsy: 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: cerebral palsy

Sample item

A child born prematurely has scissoring gait, increased leg tone, brisk reflexes, and delayed gross motor milestones. What subtype is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

Spastic diplegia predominantly affects both lower limbs and is associated with prematurity and periventricular white-matter injury. Upper-motor-neuron signs include hypertonia and hyperreflexia.

Option by option

  • A. Spinal muscular atrophy

    SMA causes lower-motor-neuron hypotonia and areflexia.

  • B. Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (correct)

    Correct. Bilateral leg spasticity and scissoring are characteristic.

  • C. Duchenne muscular dystrophy

    Duchenne causes progressive proximal weakness and Gowers sign.

  • D. Ataxic cerebral palsy

    Ataxic CP causes balance and coordination problems rather than marked spasticity.

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.

More Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Spastic diplegia predominantly affects both lower limbs and is associated with prematurity and periventricular white-matter injury.

Why is "Spinal muscular atrophy" not the answer?

SMA causes lower-motor-neuron hypotonia and areflexia.

Why is "Duchenne muscular dystrophy" not the answer?

Duchenne causes progressive proximal weakness and Gowers sign.

Why is "Ataxic cerebral palsy" not the answer?

Ataxic CP causes balance and coordination problems rather than marked spasticity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: cerebral palsy in Pediatrics. Upper-motor-neuron signs include hypertonia and hyperreflexia.

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: cerebral palsy?

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.