Nutrition: Wellcome classification of malnutrition: 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: Wellcome classification of malnutrition

Sample item

A two-year-old has weight 72 percent of the expected weight for age and bilateral pitting pedal oedema. By the Wellcome classification, what is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Kwashiorkor

In the Wellcome classification, weight 60 to 80 percent of expected with oedema is kwashiorkor, and below 60 percent with oedema is marasmic kwashiorkor. Without oedema the labels are underweight and marasmus. Oedema is the deciding feature.

Option by option

  • A. Underweight without oedema

    Oedema excludes a non-oedematous category.

  • B. Marasmus

    Marasmus is below 60 percent without oedema.

  • C. Kwashiorkor (correct)

    Correct. 60 to 80 percent with oedema is kwashiorkor.

  • D. Marasmic kwashiorkor

    Marasmic kwashiorkor needs weight below 60 percent with oedema.

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 C, Kwashiorkor. In the Wellcome classification, weight 60 to 80 percent of expected with oedema is kwashiorkor, and below 60 percent with oedema is marasmic kwashiorkor.

Why is "Underweight without oedema" not the answer?

Oedema excludes a non-oedematous category.

Why is "Marasmus" not the answer?

Marasmus is below 60 percent without oedema.

Why is "Marasmic kwashiorkor" not the answer?

Marasmic kwashiorkor needs weight below 60 percent with oedema.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: Wellcome classification of malnutrition in PSM. Without oedema the labels are underweight and marasmus. Oedema is the deciding feature.

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 Nutrition: Wellcome classification of malnutrition?

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.