Sexually transmitted infections: early congenital syphilis and Parrot pseudoparalysis: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · Sexually transmitted infections: early congenital syphilis and Parrot pseudoparalysis

Sample item

A 6-week-old infant of an untreated mother lies with one arm limp and cries when it is moved. He also has persistent blood-stained nasal discharge and hepatosplenomegaly. Radiographs show metaphyseal lucency and periosteal reaction. What explains the limb immobility?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Syphilitic osteochondritis

Early congenital syphilis can cause osteochondritis and periostitis of the long bones, with painful immobility of a limb called Parrot pseudoparalysis. It often occurs with snuffles, rash, hepatosplenomegaly and anaemia. Treatment is a course of intravenous penicillin G.

Option by option

  • A. Syphilitic osteochondritis (correct)

    Correct. Syphilitic osteochondritis causes painful pseudoparalysis with metaphyseal changes.

  • B. Brachial plexus birth injury

    A birth injury presents from delivery without systemic signs, rhinitis or bone lucency.

  • C. Septic arthritis of the shoulder

    Septic arthritis causes fever and an effusion and does not explain rhinitis and organomegaly.

  • D. Infantile scurvy

    Infantile scurvy is rare under 6 months and is not associated with rhinitis or hepatosplenomegaly.

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 Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Syphilitic osteochondritis. Early congenital syphilis can cause osteochondritis and periostitis of the long bones, with painful immobility of a limb called Parrot pseudoparalysis.

Why is "Brachial plexus birth injury" not the answer?

A birth injury presents from delivery without systemic signs, rhinitis or bone lucency.

Why is "Septic arthritis of the shoulder" not the answer?

Septic arthritis causes fever and an effusion and does not explain rhinitis and organomegaly.

Why is "Infantile scurvy" not the answer?

Infantile scurvy is rare under 6 months and is not associated with rhinitis or hepatosplenomegaly.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sexually transmitted infections: early congenital syphilis and Parrot pseudoparalysis in Dermatology. It often occurs with snuffles, rash, hepatosplenomegaly and anaemia. Treatment is a course of intravenous penicillin G.

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 Sexually transmitted infections: early congenital syphilis and Parrot pseudoparalysis?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.