Neonatology: collodion baby: 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 · Neonatology: collodion baby

Sample item

A term newborn is encased in a tight, shiny, parchment-like membrane with eversion of the eyelids and lips. Cracks are appearing at the joints. What is the most important initial care?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Nursing in a humidified incubator with frequent emollients

A collodion baby has a membrane that sheds over 2 to 4 weeks, often revealing lamellar ichthyosis. The risks are fluid loss, temperature instability and infection, so care is in a humidified incubator with emollients, and keratolytics are avoided.

Option by option

  • A. A dry warm cot with occlusive wrapping

    A dry environment increases transepidermal water loss and fissuring.

  • B. Nursing in a humidified incubator with frequent emollients (correct)

    Correct. Humidity and emollients limit water loss while the membrane sheds.

  • C. Daily salicylic acid peeling of the membrane

    Salicylates are absorbed through the abnormal skin and can cause toxicity.

  • D. Oral corticosteroids to loosen the membrane

    Steroids do not help and increase the risk of infection.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Nursing in a humidified incubator with frequent emollients. A collodion baby has a membrane that sheds over 2 to 4 weeks, often revealing lamellar ichthyosis.

Why is "A dry warm cot with occlusive wrapping" not the answer?

A dry environment increases transepidermal water loss and fissuring.

Why is "Daily salicylic acid peeling of the membrane" not the answer?

Salicylates are absorbed through the abnormal skin and can cause toxicity.

Why is "Oral corticosteroids to loosen the membrane" not the answer?

Steroids do not help and increase the risk of infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: collodion baby in Pediatrics. The risks are fluid loss, temperature instability and infection, so care is in a humidified incubator with emollients, and keratolytics are avoided.

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 Neonatology: collodion baby?

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.