Hypertensive disorders: neonate after maternal magnesium: practice question

A OBG 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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OBG · Hypertensive disorders: neonate after maternal magnesium

Sample item

A baby delivered after the mother received magnesium sulphate for 24 hours for severe pre-eclampsia is floppy with depressed respiration. Which explanation is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Neonatal magnesium toxicity

Magnesium crosses the placenta, so the neonate can have hypotonia, a poor suck and respiratory depression, which are usually transient. Supportive care is given, with monitoring of serum magnesium if needed.

Option by option

  • A. Birth asphyxia

    Asphyxia would be accompanied by a history of fetal distress or low Apgar scores at birth.

  • B. Neonatal magnesium toxicity (correct)

    Correct. Placental transfer of magnesium causes neonatal hypotonia and respiratory depression.

  • C. Neonatal hypoglycaemia due to maternal diabetes

    The mother's diagnosis was pre-eclampsia, and diabetes is not mentioned.

  • D. Neonatal sepsis

    Sepsis is possible but the history of prolonged magnesium therapy gives a direct explanation.

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 OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is B, Neonatal magnesium toxicity. Magnesium crosses the placenta, so the neonate can have hypotonia, a poor suck and respiratory depression, which are usually transient.

Why is "Birth asphyxia" not the answer?

Asphyxia would be accompanied by a history of fetal distress or low Apgar scores at birth.

Why is "Neonatal hypoglycaemia due to maternal diabetes" not the answer?

The mother's diagnosis was pre-eclampsia, and diabetes is not mentioned.

Why is "Neonatal sepsis" not the answer?

Sepsis is possible but the history of prolonged magnesium therapy gives a direct explanation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hypertensive disorders: neonate after maternal magnesium in OBG. Supportive care is given, with monitoring of serum magnesium if 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 Hypertensive disorders: neonate after maternal magnesium?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG 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.