Neonatology: infant of diabetic mother: 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: infant of diabetic mother

Sample item

A macrosomic newborn of a mother with poorly controlled diabetes is jittery at 3 hours. Which complication is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hypoglycaemia

Maternal hyperglycaemia causes fetal hyperinsulinism, and after birth the glucose supply stops while insulin remains high, so hypoglycaemia occurs within hours. Other issues include hypocalcaemia, polycythaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and respiratory distress. Small left colon syndrome is a known gut problem.

Option by option

  • A. Hypernatraemia

    Hypernatraemia is not a typical issue.

  • B. Hypoglycaemia (correct)

    Correct. Hyperinsulinism after cord clamping causes hypoglycaemia.

  • C. Hyperkalaemia

    Hyperkalaemia is not a typical issue.

  • D. Hyperglycaemia

    The baby is at risk of low rather than high glucose.

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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Hypoglycaemia. Maternal hyperglycaemia causes fetal hyperinsulinism, and after birth the glucose supply stops while insulin remains high, so hypoglycaemia occurs within hours.

Why is "Hypernatraemia" not the answer?

Hypernatraemia is not a typical issue.

Why is "Hyperkalaemia" not the answer?

Hyperkalaemia is not a typical issue.

Why is "Hyperglycaemia" not the answer?

The baby is at risk of low rather than high glucose.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neonatology: infant of diabetic mother in Pediatrics. Other issues include hypocalcaemia, polycythaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and respiratory distress. Small left colon syndrome is a known gut problem.

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: infant of diabetic mother?

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.