Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Practice Questions

Q: Some children go through a period of intense appetite when they eat or chew on all sorts of inedible substances. What is this called?

Pica. ### Explanation **Correct Answer: A. Pica** **Pica** is a feeding disorder characterized by the persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances (e.g., dirt, clay, chalk, paper, ice, or hair) for a period of at least one month. It is developmentally inappropriate in children older than 2 years. While often associated with intellectual disabilities or autism, in otherwise healthy children, it is frequently linked to **iron deficiency anemia** or **zinc deficiency**. The "intense appetite" for these substances is a hallmark clinical feature. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **B. Anorexia:** Refers to a lack or loss of appetite. *Anorexia Nervosa* is a specific eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and an intense fear of gaining weight, which is the opposite of the "intense appetite" described. * **C. Bulimia:** Part of *Bulimia Nervosa*, involving episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (purging, excessive exercise). While it involves intense eating, it refers to food, not inedible substances. * **D. Astasia-abasia:** A neurological/psychiatric symptom where a patient is unable to stand or walk in a normal manner (often appearing "drunken" or wobbly) despite having normal leg strength. It is typically a conversion disorder and unrelated to appetite. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Common Variants:** *Geophagia* (soil/clay), *Pagophagia* (ice), and *Amylophagia* (raw starch). * **Complications:** Lead poisoning (from paint chips), intestinal obstruction/bezoars (from hair/paper), and parasitic infections (from soil). * **Management:** First-line management involves screening for and treating underlying nutritional deficiencies (Iron/Zinc) and behavioral modification. * **Age Criterion:** Diagnosis should not be made before age 2, as mouthing objects is a normal developmental stage before this age.

Q: What is the most common hereditary cause of mental retardation?

Fragile X syndrome. **Explanation:** The distinction between the "most common cause" and the "most common hereditary cause" of intellectual disability (mental retardation) is a frequent high-yield trap in NEET-PG. **1. Why Fragile X Syndrome is correct:** Fragile X syndrome is the **most common inherited (hereditary) cause** of intellectual disability. It is an X-linked dominant condition caused by the expansion of **CGG trinucleotide repeats** in the *FMR1* gene on the long arm of the X chromosome. Because it is passed down through generations via premutation carriers or affected individuals, it is classified as hereditary. **2. Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21):** This is the **most common genetic/chromosomal cause** of mental retardation overall. However, most cases (95%) arise from *de novo* non-disjunction during meiosis rather than being inherited from a parent. Therefore, it is genetic but usually not "hereditary." * **Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18):** While it causes severe intellectual disability, it is much less common than Down’s or Fragile X and is associated with very high neonatal mortality. * **Friedreich’s Ataxia:** This is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive ataxia and cardiomyopathy; it does not typically present as primary mental retardation. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Phenotype of Fragile X:** Long face, large everted ears, and **macro-orchidism** (post-pubertal). * **Behavior:** Commonest single-gene cause of **Autism**. * **Cytogenetics:** Seen as a "break" at the end of the X chromosome when cultured in folate-deficient medium. * **Anticipation:** The disease severity increases in successive generations due to expansion of trinucleotide repeats.

Q: Which of the following statements is not true regarding autistic disorder?

Vision problems. **Explanation:** Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a "triad of impairments": social interaction, communication, and restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior. **Why "Vision problems" is the correct answer:** Vision problems are **not** a diagnostic feature or a core clinical manifestation of autism. While children with ASD may exhibit atypical visual behaviors (such as avoiding eye contact or looking at objects from unusual angles), the primary pathology is neurological and behavioral, not ocular. Any refractive errors or visual deficits in an autistic child are considered comorbid or incidental rather than a part of the disorder itself. **Analysis of incorrect options:** * **Impaired communication:** This is a hallmark of ASD. It includes deficits in social-emotional reciprocity and non-verbal communicative behaviors (e.g., lack of gestures or facial expressions). * **Impaired imagination:** Children with ASD typically show a lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play. This "poverty of imagination" is a key diagnostic criterion. * **Language developmental delay:** Significant delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language is very common. Even when language is present, there is often an inability to initiate or sustain conversation. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers):** The most commonly used screening tool (usually at 18 and 24 months). * **Early Sign:** Failure to respond to name by 12 months and lack of "joint attention" (pointing to show interest). * **Prognosis:** The best predictors of long-term outcome are the **IQ level** and the **development of communicative language** by age 5. * **Associated Condition:** Fragile X syndrome is the most common single-gene cause of autism.

Q: A 6-year-old child has an IQ of 50. Which of the following tasks should the child be able to perform?

Identify colors. ### Explanation This question assesses the correlation between **Intellectual Quotient (IQ)** and **Mental Age (MA)**. The formula for IQ is: **IQ = (Mental Age / Chronological Age) × 100** For a 6-year-old child with an IQ of 50: $50 = (MA / 6) \times 100 \implies MA = 3 \text{ years.}$ Therefore, this child will perform tasks consistent with a **3-year-old developmental level**. **1. Why "Identify colors" is correct:** Naming at least one color is a milestone typically achieved by **3 years** of age. Since the child’s mental age is 3, they should be able to perform this task. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Read a sentence (Option B):** This is a literacy skill usually acquired around **6 years** of age (Grade 1 level). This requires a mental age far beyond this child's capability. * **Ride a bicycle (Option C):** While a child can ride a tricycle at 3 years, riding a bicycle (usually without training wheels) is a gross motor milestone for **5 years**. * **Copy a triangle (Option D):** Fine motor milestones for drawing shapes follow a specific sequence: Circle (3 years), Cross/Square (4 years), and **Triangle (5 years)**. A child with a mental age of 3 can only copy a circle. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **IQ Classification (WHO):** Mild (50–69), Moderate (35–49), Severe (20–34), Profound (<20). This child falls at the border of Mild and Moderate Intellectual Disability. * **High-Yield Drawing Milestones:** * 2 years: Vertical line * 3 years: Circle * 4 years: Cross/Square * 5 years: Triangle * 6 years: Diamond

Q: What is the treatment for breath-holding spells?

Iron. ### Explanation **Breath-holding spells (BHS)** are common paroxysmal non-epileptic events in children (6 months to 6 years) triggered by emotional distress, pain, or anger. **Why Iron is the Correct Answer:** Clinical studies have consistently shown a strong association between **Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)** and the frequency/severity of breath-holding spells. Even in the absence of overt anemia, children with low serum ferritin levels are more prone to these episodes. Iron is a crucial cofactor for enzymes involved in **catecholamine metabolism** and neurotransmitter function (like dopamine). Supplementation with iron (3–6 mg/kg/day) has been proven to significantly reduce the frequency of spells, even in non-anemic children. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A. Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6):** While B6 is used in neonatal seizures (Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy) and homocystinuria, it has no established role in treating BHS. * **B. Zinc:** Zinc is vital for diarrhea management and growth but does not influence the pathophysiology of BHS. * **D. Molybdenum:** This is a trace element involved in sulfite oxidase activity; deficiency is rare and unrelated to respiratory or behavioral spells. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** 1. **Types:** Two main types exist—**Cyanotic** (most common, triggered by anger/frustration) and **Pallid** (triggered by sudden pain/fright, associated with bradycardia). 2. **Diagnosis:** Primarily clinical. The most important step is to reassure parents that the spells are involuntary and benign. 3. **Investigation:** Always check **Serum Ferritin** or Hemoglobin levels in a child presenting with BHS. 4. **Prognosis:** Excellent; most children outgrow these spells by age 5–6 years. No association with future epilepsy or intellectual disability.

Q: What is the diagnosis in this child with intellectual disability?

Fragile X syndrome. ***Fragile X syndrome*** - Most common **inherited cause** of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, affecting males more severely. - Classic features include **elongated face**, **prominent ears**, **macrocephaly**, and **macroorchidism** in post-pubertal males. *Rubinstein Taybi syndrome* - Characterized by **broad thumbs and toes**, **beaked nose**, and **growth retardation** with distinctive facial features. - Associated with **congenital heart defects** and **increased cancer risk**, which are not typical of Fragile X. *Seckel syndrome* - Presents with **severe microcephaly**, **bird-like facies**, and **primordial dwarfism** from birth. - Features **prominent nose** and **receding forehead**, contrasting with the macrocephaly seen in Fragile X. *Rett syndrome* - Almost exclusively affects **females** with **normal early development** followed by regression around 6-18 months. - Characterized by **repetitive hand movements**, **loss of purposeful hand skills**, and **breathing irregularities** during wakefulness.

Q: Regression of milestones occurs after normal development up to which age in Rett's disease?

5 months. **Explanation:** **Rett Syndrome** is a unique neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting females (X-linked dominant, lethal in males), caused by a mutation in the **MECP2 gene**. 1. **Why 5 months is correct:** The hallmark of Rett Syndrome is a period of **apparently normal development** for the first few months of life. According to the classic diagnostic criteria, the onset of regression—characterized by the deceleration of head growth (acquired microcephaly) and loss of purposeful hand skills—typically begins between **5 months and 48 months**. Therefore, normal development is guaranteed only up to the age of 5 months, after which the "stagnation" and "regression" phases can trigger. 2. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **1 month:** This is too early. Infants with Rett syndrome typically appear normal at birth and through the neonatal period. * **1 year and 2 years:** While regression *can* occur at these ages, the question asks up to which age development is *consistently* normal before the window of regression opens. The clinical definition marks the potential start of regression as early as 5 months. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Hand Stereotypies:** The most characteristic sign is the loss of purposeful hand movements replaced by repetitive **"hand-wringing"** or "hand-washing" motions. * **Gender:** Almost exclusively seen in **females**. * **Microcephaly:** It is one of the few conditions where a child is born with a normal head circumference but develops **acquired microcephaly** due to impaired brain growth. * **Phases:** It progresses from early stagnation to rapid regression, followed by a plateau phase.

Q: Which of the following is FALSE regarding thumb sucking?

It must be treated vigorously in the first year of life.. ### Explanation **1. Why Option A is the Correct (False) Statement:** Thumb sucking is considered a **normal physiological reflex** in infants and young children. In the first year of life, it is a self-soothing mechanism and a developmental milestone related to the oral stage of development. Medical consensus dictates that it should **not** be treated vigorously or discouraged during infancy, as most children abandon the habit spontaneously by age 3–4. Intervention is generally only considered if the habit persists beyond age 4–6, when permanent dentition begins to erupt. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Option B (Sign of insecurity):** While often physiological, persistent thumb sucking in older children can be a manifestation of anxiety, boredom, or emotional insecurity, serving as a "transitional object" for comfort. * **Option C (Source of pleasure):** Thumb sucking provides sensory gratification and oral stimulation. It releases endorphins, helping the child feel secure and relaxed. * **Option D (Can lead to malocclusion):** This is a clinical fact. Prolonged, vigorous thumb sucking (especially beyond age 5) can lead to dental deformities such as **anterior open bite**, maxillary protrusion ("buck teeth"), and narrowing of the palatal arch. **3. NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Normal Age:** Thumb sucking is normal up to **3–4 years** of age. * **Management:** Use a "wait and watch" approach initially. If it persists, use behavioral therapy (positive reinforcement). Dental appliances (e.g., palatal cribs) are a last resort. * **Associated Condition:** It is often associated with **tongue thrusting**, which further exacerbates malocclusion. * **Freud’s Theory:** It corresponds to the **Oral Stage** (0–1 year) of psychosexual development.

Question 1

A 6-year-old child presents with nocturnal enuresis (bed-wetting at night) but no daytime wetting. Investigations reveal a urine specific gravity of 1.020, with all other tests being normal. What is the most appropriate advice?

Accepted Answer

Referral to a child psychologist

Answer

Reassurance

Answer

Ultrasound abdomen

Answer

CT pelvis

Question 2

A 2.5-year-old child wakes up at night, screaming with fear. This is generally a manifestation of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Separation anxiety

Answer

Organic illness

Answer

Normal development pattern

Answer

Castration anxiety

Question 3

Some children go through a period of intense appetite when they eat or chew on all sorts of inedible substances. What is this called?

Accepted Answer

Pica

Answer

Anorexia

Answer

Bulimia

Answer

Astasia abasia

Question 4

What is the most common hereditary cause of mental retardation?

Accepted Answer

Fragile X syndrome

Answer

Down's syndrome

Answer

Friedreich's ataxia

Answer

Edwards syndrome

Question 5

Which of the following statements is not true regarding autistic disorder?

Accepted Answer

Vision problems

Answer

Impaired communication

Answer

Impaired imagination

Answer

Language developmental delay

Question 6

A 6-year-old child has an IQ of 50. Which of the following tasks should the child be able to perform?

Accepted Answer

Identify colors

Answer

Read a sentence

Answer

Ride a bicycle

Answer

Copy a triangle

Question 7

What is the treatment for breath-holding spells?

Accepted Answer

Iron

Answer

Pyridoxine

Answer

Zinc

Answer

Molybdenum

Question 8

What is the diagnosis in this child with intellectual disability?

Accepted Answer

Fragile X syndrome

Answer

Rubinstein Taybi syndrome

Answer

Seckel syndrome

Answer

Rett syndrome

Question 9

Regression of milestones occurs after normal development up to which age in Rett's disease?

Accepted Answer

5 months

Answer

1 year

Answer

2 years

Answer

1 month

Question 10

Which of the following is FALSE regarding thumb sucking?

Accepted Answer

It must be treated vigorously in the first year of life.

Answer

It is a sign of insecurity.

Answer

It is a source of pleasure.

Answer

It can lead to malocclusion.

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics — MCQs

Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics — MCQs

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