Retina: abetalipoproteinaemia: practice question

A Ophthalmology 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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Ophthalmology · Retina: abetalipoproteinaemia

Sample item

A child has steatorrhoea, failure to thrive, acanthocytes, ataxia and a pigmentary retinopathy with night blindness. Which treatment can slow the retinal and neurological decline?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Fat-soluble vitamin supplementation, including A and E

Abetalipoproteinaemia impairs absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and supplementation with vitamins E and A, along with a low-fat diet, slows retinopathy and neuropathy. The other vitamins do not correct this deficiency.

Option by option

  • A. Folic acid

    Folic acid does not treat lipid malabsorption or retinal degeneration.

  • B. High-dose vitamin C

    Vitamin C is water soluble and not deficient in this disorder.

  • C. Fat-soluble vitamin supplementation, including A and E (correct)

    Correct. Replacing malabsorbed fat-soluble vitamins slows the degeneration.

  • D. Vitamin B12 injections

    B12 deficiency causes a different neuropathy and does not affect the retina this way.

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 Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is C, Fat-soluble vitamin supplementation, including A and E. Abetalipoproteinaemia impairs absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and supplementation with vitamins E and A, along with a low-fat diet, slows retinopathy and neuropathy.

Why is "Folic acid" not the answer?

Folic acid does not treat lipid malabsorption or retinal degeneration.

Why is "High-dose vitamin C" not the answer?

Vitamin C is water soluble and not deficient in this disorder.

Why is "Vitamin B12 injections" not the answer?

B12 deficiency causes a different neuropathy and does not affect the retina this way.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Retina: abetalipoproteinaemia in Ophthalmology. The other vitamins do not correct this deficiency.

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 Retina: abetalipoproteinaemia?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology 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.