Nutrition and malnutrition: milk ejection reflex: 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.

Try it

Pediatrics · Nutrition and malnutrition: milk ejection reflex

Sample item

A breastfeeding mother notices milk dripping from the opposite breast when her baby cries or latches. Which hormone triggers this reflex?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Oxytocin

Suckling stimulates oxytocin release, which contracts myoepithelial cells around the alveoli and ejects milk. Prolactin is responsible for milk synthesis. Stress and pain inhibit oxytocin, so reassurance and a calm setting help feeding.

Option by option

  • A. Oestrogen

    Oestrogen inhibits lactation, and levels fall sharply after delivery.

  • B. Human placental lactogen

    Human placental lactogen declines after delivery of the placenta and does not trigger let-down.

  • C. Oxytocin (correct)

    Correct. Oxytocin contracts the myoepithelial cells to eject milk.

  • D. Prolactin

    Prolactin drives milk production rather than the let-down of milk already formed.

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 C, Oxytocin. Suckling stimulates oxytocin release, which contracts myoepithelial cells around the alveoli and ejects milk.

Why is "Oestrogen" not the answer?

Oestrogen inhibits lactation, and levels fall sharply after delivery.

Why is "Human placental lactogen" not the answer?

Human placental lactogen declines after delivery of the placenta and does not trigger let-down.

Why is "Prolactin" not the answer?

Prolactin drives milk production rather than the let-down of milk already formed.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition and malnutrition: milk ejection reflex in Pediatrics. Prolactin is responsible for milk synthesis. Stress and pain inhibit oxytocin, so reassurance and a calm setting help feeding.

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 Nutrition and malnutrition: milk ejection reflex?

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.