Emergencies: child abuse: 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 · Emergencies: child abuse

Sample item

A 3-month-old has subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhages and rib fractures with no history of trauma. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome)

The triad of subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage and encephalopathy in an infant suggests inflicted shaking injury, often with posterior rib fractures. Evaluation includes a skeletal survey and child protection reporting. Metabolic and bleeding disorders should be excluded.

Option by option

  • A. Abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome) (correct)

    Correct. This pattern suggests abusive head trauma.

  • B. Normal birth sequelae

    Birth sequelae would not persist at 3 months in this way.

  • C. Vitamin K deficiency bleeding

    Vitamin K deficiency does not cause rib fractures.

  • D. Osteogenesis imperfecta only

    Osteogenesis imperfecta would show other features and rarely this triad.

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 A, Abusive head trauma (shaken baby syndrome). The triad of subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage and encephalopathy in an infant suggests inflicted shaking injury, often with posterior rib fractures.

Why is "Normal birth sequelae" not the answer?

Birth sequelae would not persist at 3 months in this way.

Why is "Vitamin K deficiency bleeding" not the answer?

Vitamin K deficiency does not cause rib fractures.

Why is "Osteogenesis imperfecta only" not the answer?

Osteogenesis imperfecta would show other features and rarely this triad.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Emergencies: child abuse in Pediatrics. Evaluation includes a skeletal survey and child protection reporting. Metabolic and bleeding disorders should be excluded.

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 Emergencies: child abuse?

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.