Infections: neonatal meningitis organisms: 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 · Infections: neonatal meningitis organisms

Sample item

Which pair of organisms commonly cause early neonatal meningitis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli

In neonates the usual pathogens are group B Streptococcus, E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes. In children over 3 months, pneumococcus and meningococcus predominate. Empirical therapy is ampicillin with a third-generation cephalosporin or aminoglycoside.

Option by option

  • A. Group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli (correct)

    Correct. GBS and E. coli are leading neonatal pathogens.

  • B. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis

    Pneumococcus and meningococcus occur beyond the neonatal period.

  • C. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cryptococcus

    TB and Cryptococcus are uncommon in neonates.

  • D. Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria

    Hib and Neisseria occur in older infants.

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.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli. In neonates the usual pathogens are group B Streptococcus, E.

Why is "Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis" not the answer?

Pneumococcus and meningococcus occur beyond the neonatal period.

Why is "Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cryptococcus" not the answer?

TB and Cryptococcus are uncommon in neonates.

Why is "Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria" not the answer?

Hib and Neisseria occur in older infants.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: neonatal meningitis organisms in Pediatrics. coli and Listeria monocytogenes. In children over 3 months, pneumococcus and meningococcus predominate. Empirical therapy is ampicillin with a third-generation cephalosporin or aminoglycoside.

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 Infections: neonatal meningitis organisms?

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.