Lens and cataract: galactosaemia screen in congenital cataract: practice question

A Ophthalmology 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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Ophthalmology · Lens and cataract: galactosaemia screen in congenital cataract

Sample item

A newborn has bilateral cataracts, jaundice and vomiting after milk feeds. Which treatable condition must be urgently excluded?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Galactosaemia

Classical galactosaemia due to deficient galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase causes oil-droplet cataracts, liver disease and sepsis susceptibility. Stopping lactose and galactose can prevent or even reverse the cataract.

Option by option

  • A. Galactosaemia (correct)

    Correct. Cataract with vomiting and jaundice after milk feeds suggests galactosaemia, which is dietary treatable.

  • B. Wilson disease

    Wilson disease causes copper deposition and does not present in the neonatal period.

  • C. Alport syndrome

    Alport syndrome causes haematuria and lenticonus, not neonatal jaundice and cataract.

  • D. Marfan syndrome

    Marfan syndrome causes ectopia lentis rather than neonatal cataract.

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 Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is A, Galactosaemia. Classical galactosaemia due to deficient galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase causes oil-droplet cataracts, liver disease and sepsis susceptibility.

Why is "Wilson disease" not the answer?

Wilson disease causes copper deposition and does not present in the neonatal period.

Why is "Alport syndrome" not the answer?

Alport syndrome causes haematuria and lenticonus, not neonatal jaundice and cataract.

Why is "Marfan syndrome" not the answer?

Marfan syndrome causes ectopia lentis rather than neonatal cataract.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Lens and cataract: galactosaemia screen in congenital cataract in Ophthalmology. Stopping lactose and galactose can prevent or even reverse the cataract.

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 Lens and cataract: galactosaemia screen in congenital cataract?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology 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.