Nutrition: iodine deficiency in pregnancy: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Nutrition: iodine deficiency in pregnancy

Sample item

A child born in a sub-Himalayan village has severe mental retardation, deaf mutism and a spastic gait. Her mother was iodine-deficient throughout pregnancy. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Endemic cretinism

Severe maternal iodine deficiency impairs fetal brain development and causes endemic cretinism with mental retardation, deaf mutism and spasticity. It is the most serious consequence of iodine deficiency and is prevented by iodised salt before and during pregnancy.

Option by option

  • A. Endemic cretinism (correct)

    Correct. Maternal iodine deficiency causes this picture.

  • B. Congenital rubella syndrome

    Congenital rubella causes cataract, heart defects and deafness, not this neurological pattern with iodine deficiency.

  • C. Down syndrome

    Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder with a different phenotype.

  • D. Kernicterus

    Kernicterus follows severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.

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 PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Endemic cretinism. Severe maternal iodine deficiency impairs fetal brain development and causes endemic cretinism with mental retardation, deaf mutism and spasticity.

Why is "Congenital rubella syndrome" not the answer?

Congenital rubella causes cataract, heart defects and deafness, not this neurological pattern with iodine deficiency.

Why is "Down syndrome" not the answer?

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder with a different phenotype.

Why is "Kernicterus" not the answer?

Kernicterus follows severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: iodine deficiency in pregnancy in PSM. It is the most serious consequence of iodine deficiency and is prevented by iodised salt before and during pregnancy.

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 Nutrition: iodine deficiency in pregnancy?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.