Child psychiatry: childhood disintegrative disorder: 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.

Try it

Psychiatry · Child psychiatry: childhood disintegrative disorder

Sample item

A boy develops normally for 3 years, then over several months loses language, social skills, bowel control and play skills, with autistic features. This is best termed:

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Childhood disintegrative disorder (Heller syndrome)

Childhood disintegrative disorder shows marked regression after at least 2 years of apparently normal development, with loss of multiple skills and autistic-like features. It is rare, and in DSM-5 it is subsumed under autism spectrum disorder.

Option by option

  • A. Childhood disintegrative disorder (Heller syndrome) (correct)

    Correct. Regression after at least 2 years of normal development is Heller syndrome.

  • B. Selective mutism

    Selective mutism does not involve loss of other skills.

  • C. Asperger syndrome

    Asperger syndrome has no language delay or regression.

  • D. Rett syndrome

    Rett syndrome typically affects girls, with hand-wringing and early regression.

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 Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Childhood disintegrative disorder (Heller syndrome). Childhood disintegrative disorder shows marked regression after at least 2 years of apparently normal development, with loss of multiple skills and autistic-like features.

Why is "Selective mutism" not the answer?

Selective mutism does not involve loss of other skills.

Why is "Asperger syndrome" not the answer?

Asperger syndrome has no language delay or regression.

Why is "Rett syndrome" not the answer?

Rett syndrome typically affects girls, with hand-wringing and early regression.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry: childhood disintegrative disorder in Psychiatry. It is rare, and in DSM-5 it is subsumed under autism spectrum disorder.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Child psychiatry: childhood disintegrative disorder?

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.