Neonatology: retinopathy of prematurity: 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 · Neonatology: retinopathy of prematurity

Sample item

A baby is born at 29 weeks and 1.1 kg. When should the first screening for retinopathy of prematurity be done under Indian recommendations?

AAt 1 yearBWithin 2 to 4 weeks of life (by 30 days)CAt 6 months of ageDAt birth

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Within 2 to 4 weeks of life (by 30 days)

Screening is advised for babies born before 34 weeks or weighing under 2000 g, with the first examination at 2 to 4 weeks of age, by 30 days. Later it is repeated until the retina is fully vascularised. Unsupervised high oxygen is a major risk factor.

Option by option

A. At 1 year
One year is far too late.
B. Within 2 to 4 weeks of life (by 30 days) (correct)
Correct. First screening is at 2 to 4 weeks, by 30 days.
C. At 6 months of age
Six months would miss the treatment window.
D. At birth
Retinal vessels are immature at birth and ROP does not develop yet.

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 B, Within 2 to 4 weeks of life (by 30 days). Screening is advised for babies born before 34 weeks or weighing under 2000 g, with the first examination at 2 to 4 weeks of age, by 30 days.

Why is "At 1 year" not the answer?

One year is far too late.

Why is "At 6 months of age" not the answer?

Six months would miss the treatment window.

Why is "At birth" not the answer?

Retinal vessels are immature at birth and ROP does not develop yet.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: retinopathy of prematurity in Pediatrics. Later it is repeated until the retina is fully vascularised. Unsupervised high oxygen is a major risk factor.

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 Neonatology: retinopathy of prematurity?

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.