Neonatology: cooling for HIE: 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 · Neonatology: cooling for HIE

Sample item

A 38-week neonate with moderate hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy is being considered for therapeutic hypothermia. Which regimen is standard?

ACore temperature 30 degrees C for 24 hours started at 24 hoursBCore temperature 36 degrees C for 7 daysCCooling for 12 hours started within 12 hoursDCore temperature 33 to 34 degrees C for 72 hours, started within 6 hours of birth

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Core temperature 33 to 34 degrees C for 72 hours, started within 6 hours of birth

Whole-body or selective head cooling to 33 to 34 degrees C for 72 hours, started within 6 hours of birth, reduces death and disability in moderate to severe HIE in infants of 36 weeks or more. Rewarming is slow, about 0.5 degrees C per hour. Delay beyond 6 hours loses the benefit.

Option by option

A. Core temperature 30 degrees C for 24 hours started at 24 hours
Thirty degrees C is too cold and a start at 24 hours is too late.
B. Core temperature 36 degrees C for 7 days
Thirty-six degrees C is not therapeutic cooling.
C. Cooling for 12 hours started within 12 hours
Twelve hours of cooling is too short.
D. Core temperature 33 to 34 degrees C for 72 hours, started within 6 hours of birth (correct)
Correct. 33 to 34 degrees C for 72 hours within 6 hours of birth.

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.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, Core temperature 33 to 34 degrees C for 72 hours, started within 6 hours of birth. Whole-body or selective head cooling to 33 to 34 degrees C for 72 hours, started within 6 hours of birth, reduces death and disability in moderate to severe HIE in infants of 36 weeks or more.

Why is "Core temperature 30 degrees C for 24 hours started at 24 hours" not the answer?

Thirty degrees C is too cold and a start at 24 hours is too late.

Why is "Core temperature 36 degrees C for 7 days" not the answer?

Thirty-six degrees C is not therapeutic cooling.

Why is "Cooling for 12 hours started within 12 hours" not the answer?

Twelve hours of cooling is too short.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: cooling for HIE in Pediatrics. Rewarming is slow, about 0.5 degrees C per hour. Delay beyond 6 hours loses the benefit.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: cooling for HIE?

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.