Neurology: hydrocephalus: 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: hydrocephalus

Sample item

An infant has rapidly increasing head circumference, bulging fontanelle, sunset eyes, and vomiting. What condition should be suspected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hydrocephalus with raised intracranial pressure

Hydrocephalus can increase intracranial pressure in infants, producing rapid head growth, bulging fontanelle, downward gaze, and vomiting. Urgent neuroimaging and neurosurgical assessment are needed.

Option by option

  • A. Hydrocephalus with raised intracranial pressure (correct)

    Correct. These signs indicate raised intracranial pressure in infancy.

  • B. Primary hypothyroidism only

    Hypothyroidism has different systemic features.

  • C. Simple colic

    Colic does not cause macrocephaly and bulging fontanelle.

  • D. Otitis externa

    Otitis externa affects the ear canal.

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 A, Hydrocephalus with raised intracranial pressure. Hydrocephalus can increase intracranial pressure in infants, producing rapid head growth, bulging fontanelle, downward gaze, and vomiting.

Why is "Primary hypothyroidism only" not the answer?

Hypothyroidism has different systemic features.

Why is "Simple colic" not the answer?

Colic does not cause macrocephaly and bulging fontanelle.

Why is "Otitis externa" not the answer?

Otitis externa affects the ear canal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: hydrocephalus in Pediatrics. Urgent neuroimaging and neurosurgical assessment are needed.

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: hydrocephalus?

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.