Endocrinology: congenital hypothyroidism: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Endocrinology: congenital hypothyroidism

Sample item

A 3-week-old baby has prolonged jaundice, a large tongue, constipation and a hoarse cry. Why is early detection by newborn screening important?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Thyroid hormone is needed for brain development in the first years of life

Thyroid hormone drives myelination and neuronal maturation. Untreated congenital hypothyroidism leads to irreversible intellectual disability, so levothyroxine must start in the first weeks.

Option by option

  • A. Thyroid hormone controls closure of the ductus arteriosus

    Ductal closure is related to oxygen and prostaglandins.

  • B. Thyroid hormone is needed for lung maturation

    Lung maturation depends on cortisol and not mainly on thyroid hormone.

  • C. Thyroid hormone is needed for brain development in the first years of life (correct)

    Correct. Early thyroxine prevents permanent neurodevelopmental damage.

  • D. The condition resolves without treatment

    It is permanent in most cases and needs treatment.

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 Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is C, Thyroid hormone is needed for brain development in the first years of life. Thyroid hormone drives myelination and neuronal maturation.

Why is "Thyroid hormone controls closure of the ductus arteriosus" not the answer?

Ductal closure is related to oxygen and prostaglandins.

Why is "Thyroid hormone is needed for lung maturation" not the answer?

Lung maturation depends on cortisol and not mainly on thyroid hormone.

Why is "The condition resolves without treatment" not the answer?

It is permanent in most cases and needs treatment.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: congenital hypothyroidism in Physiology. Untreated congenital hypothyroidism leads to irreversible intellectual disability, so levothyroxine must start in the first weeks.

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 Endocrinology: congenital hypothyroidism?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.