Paediatric ENT: congenital CMV: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Paediatric ENT: congenital CMV

Sample item

What is the commonest non-genetic cause of congenital sensorineural hearing loss?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Congenital CMV is the commonest acquired cause, and the loss can be late-onset or progressive, so follow-up audiometry is needed. Diagnosis is by PCR on urine, saliva or dried blood spot in the first three weeks, and valganciclovir may be given in symptomatic infants.

Option by option

  • A. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (correct)

    Correct. CMV is the commonest non-genetic cause.

  • B. Rubella

    Rubella is now uncommon where vaccination is available.

  • C. Syphilis

    Syphilis is a rarer cause.

  • D. Toxoplasmosis

    Toxoplasmosis is a less common cause.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Congenital CMV is the commonest acquired cause, and the loss can be late-onset or progressive, so follow-up audiometry is needed.

Why is "Rubella" not the answer?

Rubella is now uncommon where vaccination is available.

Why is "Syphilis" not the answer?

Syphilis is a rarer cause.

Why is "Toxoplasmosis" not the answer?

Toxoplasmosis is a less common cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric ENT: congenital CMV in ENT. Diagnosis is by PCR on urine, saliva or dried blood spot in the first three weeks, and valganciclovir may be given in symptomatic infants.

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 Paediatric ENT: congenital CMV?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.