Toxicology: fetal alcohol syndrome: practice question

A Forensic Medicine 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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Forensic Medicine · Toxicology: fetal alcohol syndrome

Sample item

A newborn of a mother with chronic heavy alcohol use has growth retardation, microcephaly and short palpebral fissures. Which additional facial feature is characteristic?

AProminent forehead with a depressed nasal bridgeBSmooth philtrum with a thin upper lipCLow-set ears with a deep philtrumDCleft of the lip and palate

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Smooth philtrum with a thin upper lip

Fetal alcohol syndrome features short palpebral fissures, a smooth philtrum and a thin upper vermilion border with growth deficiency and neurodevelopmental problems. Alcohol use in pregnancy is the preventable cause.

Option by option

A. Prominent forehead with a depressed nasal bridge
A prominent forehead with a depressed bridge fits other syndromes, such as achondroplasia.
B. Smooth philtrum with a thin upper lip (correct)
Correct. A smooth philtrum and thin upper lip are the characteristic facial features.
C. Low-set ears with a deep philtrum
A deep philtrum is the opposite of the smooth philtrum seen here.
D. Cleft of the lip and palate
Cleft lip and palate are not the hallmark of fetal alcohol syndrome.

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.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Smooth philtrum with a thin upper lip. Fetal alcohol syndrome features short palpebral fissures, a smooth philtrum and a thin upper vermilion border with growth deficiency and neurodevelopmental problems.

Why is "Prominent forehead with a depressed nasal bridge" not the answer?

A prominent forehead with a depressed bridge fits other syndromes, such as achondroplasia.

Why is "Low-set ears with a deep philtrum" not the answer?

A deep philtrum is the opposite of the smooth philtrum seen here.

Why is "Cleft of the lip and palate" not the answer?

Cleft lip and palate are not the hallmark of fetal alcohol syndrome.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: fetal alcohol syndrome in Forensic Medicine. Alcohol use in pregnancy is the preventable cause.

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 Toxicology: fetal alcohol syndrome?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine 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.