Drugs in pregnancy: aminoglycosides: practice question

A Pharmacology 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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Pharmacology · Drugs in pregnancy: aminoglycosides

Sample item

A pregnant woman received prolonged streptomycin therapy for tuberculosis. Which fetal complication is the main concern?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Irreversible eighth cranial nerve damage causing hearing loss

Aminoglycosides cross the placenta and can damage the fetal cochlea and vestibular system, so streptomycin in particular is avoided in pregnancy. It is not part of standard treatment in pregnant women with drug-susceptible tuberculosis, where isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol are used.

Option by option

  • A. Grey baby syndrome

    Grey baby syndrome follows chloramphenicol in neonates.

  • B. Neural tube defect

    Neural tube defects are associated with valproate and carbamazepine.

  • C. Irreversible eighth cranial nerve damage causing hearing loss (correct)

    Correct. Fetal ototoxicity is the recognised aminoglycoside risk.

  • D. Tooth discolouration

    Tooth discolouration is caused by tetracyclines.

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 Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is C, Irreversible eighth cranial nerve damage causing hearing loss. Aminoglycosides cross the placenta and can damage the fetal cochlea and vestibular system, so streptomycin in particular is avoided in pregnancy.

Why is "Grey baby syndrome" not the answer?

Grey baby syndrome follows chloramphenicol in neonates.

Why is "Neural tube defect" not the answer?

Neural tube defects are associated with valproate and carbamazepine.

Why is "Tooth discolouration" not the answer?

Tooth discolouration is caused by tetracyclines.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drugs in pregnancy: aminoglycosides in Pharmacology. It is not part of standard treatment in pregnant women with drug-susceptible tuberculosis, where isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol are used.

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 Drugs in pregnancy: aminoglycosides?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology 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.