Child health: vitamin A prophylaxis schedule: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Child health: vitamin A prophylaxis schedule

Sample item

A health worker is reviewing the national vitamin A prophylaxis schedule for children. Which description is correct?

A1 lakh IU every 6 months from birth to 5 yearsB2 lakh IU at 9 months onlyC2 lakh IU every week for 4 weeks at 9 monthsD1 lakh IU at 9 months with measles-rubella vaccine, then 2 lakh IU every 6 months up to 5 years

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. 1 lakh IU at 9 months with measles-rubella vaccine, then 2 lakh IU every 6 months up to 5 years

In India, the first dose of 1 lakh IU is given at 9 months with the first measles-rubella dose. The second dose of 2 lakh IU is given at 16 to 18 months and then 2 lakh IU every 6 months until 5 years, making 9 doses in all. The aim is to prevent deficiency and its blindness and infection complications.

Option by option

A. 1 lakh IU every 6 months from birth to 5 years
The first dose is not given from birth and subsequent doses are 2 lakh IU, not 1 lakh IU.
B. 2 lakh IU at 9 months only
A single dose does not provide sustained prophylaxis through early childhood.
C. 2 lakh IU every week for 4 weeks at 9 months
Weekly dosing is not a prophylactic schedule.
D. 1 lakh IU at 9 months with measles-rubella vaccine, then 2 lakh IU every 6 months up to 5 years (correct)
Correct. This matches the national prophylaxis schedule.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, 1 lakh IU at 9 months with measles-rubella vaccine, then 2 lakh IU every 6 months up to 5 years. In India, the first dose of 1 lakh IU is given at 9 months with the first measles-rubella dose.

Why is "1 lakh IU every 6 months from birth to 5 years" not the answer?

The first dose is not given from birth and subsequent doses are 2 lakh IU, not 1 lakh IU.

Why is "2 lakh IU at 9 months only" not the answer?

A single dose does not provide sustained prophylaxis through early childhood.

Why is "2 lakh IU every week for 4 weeks at 9 months" not the answer?

Weekly dosing is not a prophylactic schedule.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child health: vitamin A prophylaxis schedule in PSM. The second dose of 2 lakh IU is given at 16 to 18 months and then 2 lakh IU every 6 months until 5 years, making 9 doses in all. The aim is to prevent deficiency and its blindness and infection complications.

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 Child health: vitamin A prophylaxis schedule?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.