Systemic paediatrics: infant inguinal hernia: 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 · Systemic paediatrics: infant inguinal hernia

Sample item

A 2-month-old boy has an intermittent right groin bulge that appears on crying and reduces on its own. Examination between episodes is otherwise normal. What is the best management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Early elective herniotomy

Indirect inguinal hernias in infants do not close spontaneously and carry a high risk of incarceration, especially in the first year. Early elective herniotomy, ligating the patent processus vaginalis, is advised without mesh.

Option by option

  • A. Observation until 5 years for spontaneous closure

    Waiting for spontaneous closure is unsafe because incarceration risk is highest in infancy.

  • B. Application of a truss

    A truss is not recommended in infants since it can cause skin and testicular damage and does not cure the defect.

  • C. Mesh hernioplasty as a day case

    Mesh repair is for adult direct or weak-floor hernias, and infants need only high ligation of the sac.

  • D. Early elective herniotomy (correct)

    Correct. Early herniotomy prevents incarceration and strangulation, which are most likely in infancy.

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 D, Early elective herniotomy. Indirect inguinal hernias in infants do not close spontaneously and carry a high risk of incarceration, especially in the first year.

Why is "Observation until 5 years for spontaneous closure" not the answer?

Waiting for spontaneous closure is unsafe because incarceration risk is highest in infancy.

Why is "Application of a truss" not the answer?

A truss is not recommended in infants since it can cause skin and testicular damage and does not cure the defect.

Why is "Mesh hernioplasty as a day case" not the answer?

Mesh repair is for adult direct or weak-floor hernias, and infants need only high ligation of the sac.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic paediatrics: infant inguinal hernia in Pediatrics. Early elective herniotomy, ligating the patent processus vaginalis, is advised without mesh.

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 Systemic paediatrics: infant inguinal hernia?

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.