Mood stabilisers: lithium teratogenicity: practice question

A Psychiatry 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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Psychiatry · Mood stabilisers: lithium teratogenicity

Sample item

First-trimester exposure to lithium carries a small increased risk of which fetal malformation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve

Lithium in the first trimester is associated with cardiac malformations, particularly Ebstein anomaly, although the absolute risk is small. Valproate is the mood stabiliser linked to neural tube defects.

Option by option

  • A. Neural tube defect

    Neural tube defects are linked with valproate and carbamazepine.

  • B. Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve (correct)

    Correct. Ebstein anomaly is the classic lithium-related malformation.

  • C. Cleft palate with limb hypoplasia

    Cleft palate is not the classic lithium effect.

  • D. Phocomelia

    Phocomelia is linked with thalidomide.

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 Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve. Lithium in the first trimester is associated with cardiac malformations, particularly Ebstein anomaly, although the absolute risk is small.

Why is "Neural tube defect" not the answer?

Neural tube defects are linked with valproate and carbamazepine.

Why is "Cleft palate with limb hypoplasia" not the answer?

Cleft palate is not the classic lithium effect.

Why is "Phocomelia" not the answer?

Phocomelia is linked with thalidomide.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood stabilisers: lithium teratogenicity in Psychiatry. Valproate is the mood stabiliser linked to neural tube defects.

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 Mood stabilisers: lithium teratogenicity?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry 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.