Growth and development: craniosynostosis: 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 · Growth and development: craniosynostosis

Sample item

A 3-month-old has a long, narrow head with a palpable bony ridge along the midline, a small anterior fontanelle and a head that is increased in anteroposterior length but narrow side to side. Which suture has fused prematurely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Sagittal suture

Premature fusion of the sagittal suture restricts growth in width, so the skull grows lengthwise and becomes long and narrow (scaphocephaly or dolichocephaly). It is the commonest single-suture craniosynostosis. Early fusion of other sutures gives other head shapes.

Option by option

  • A. Sagittal suture (correct)

    Correct. Sagittal synostosis stops biparietal growth and produces a long, narrow, boat-shaped head.

  • B. Both coronal sutures

    Bilateral coronal fusion gives a short, broad head (brachycephaly) with a high forehead.

  • C. Metopic suture

    Metopic fusion gives a triangular forehead (trigonocephaly) with a midline frontal ridge.

  • D. One lambdoid suture

    Unilateral lambdoid fusion gives a flattened occiput on one side (posterior plagiocephaly).

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, Sagittal suture. Premature fusion of the sagittal suture restricts growth in width, so the skull grows lengthwise and becomes long and narrow (scaphocephaly or dolichocephaly).

Why is "Both coronal sutures" not the answer?

Bilateral coronal fusion gives a short, broad head (brachycephaly) with a high forehead.

Why is "Metopic suture" not the answer?

Metopic fusion gives a triangular forehead (trigonocephaly) with a midline frontal ridge.

Why is "One lambdoid suture" not the answer?

Unilateral lambdoid fusion gives a flattened occiput on one side (posterior plagiocephaly).

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: craniosynostosis in Pediatrics. It is the commonest single-suture craniosynostosis. Early fusion of other sutures gives other head shapes.

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 Growth and development: craniosynostosis?

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.