STI: early congenital syphilis: practice question

A Dermatology 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

Dermatology · STI: early congenital syphilis

Sample item

A 3-week-old infant has persistent bloody nasal discharge, vesicobullous lesions on the palms and soles and hepatosplenomegaly. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Early congenital syphilis

Snuffles, palmoplantar bullae (pemphigus syphiliticus), hepatosplenomegaly and bone changes are features of early congenital syphilis. Treatment is intravenous aqueous penicillin G for 10 days.

Option by option

  • A. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome

    SSSS spares the palms and soles in the typical form.

  • B. Congenital rubella

    Congenital rubella causes cataract, deafness and heart defects.

  • C. Early congenital syphilis (correct)

    Correct. This constellation indicates early congenital syphilis.

  • D. Neonatal herpes

    Neonatal herpes has grouped vesicles and CNS disease without snuffles.

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 Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Early congenital syphilis. Snuffles, palmoplantar bullae (pemphigus syphiliticus), hepatosplenomegaly and bone changes are features of early congenital syphilis.

Why is "Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome" not the answer?

SSSS spares the palms and soles in the typical form.

Why is "Congenital rubella" not the answer?

Congenital rubella causes cataract, deafness and heart defects.

Why is "Neonatal herpes" not the answer?

Neonatal herpes has grouped vesicles and CNS disease without snuffles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests STI: early congenital syphilis in Dermatology. Treatment is intravenous aqueous penicillin G for 10 days.

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 STI: early congenital syphilis?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.