Pediatric Nutrition Practice Questions

Q: In marasmus, which of the following is characteristically seen?

Severe muscle wasting. ***Severe muscle wasting*** - **Severe muscle wasting** and **loss of subcutaneous fat** are hallmark features of marasmus, giving the child a characteristic **"skin and bones"** appearance. - Children present with **visible ribs**, **sunken cheeks**, and **prominent bony landmarks** due to depletion of both fat and muscle stores from chronic energy deficiency. *Hepatomegaly* - **Hepatomegaly** is a characteristic feature of **kwashiorkor**, not marasmus, caused by **fatty infiltration** of the liver due to impaired lipoprotein synthesis. - In marasmus, the liver is typically **normal or reduced in size** as fat stores are mobilized and utilized for energy needs. *Edema* - **Pitting edema** is a hallmark feature of **kwashiorkor**, resulting from severe protein deficiency causing **hypoalbuminemia** and reduced plasma oncotic pressure. - Marasmus is characterized by **absence of edema** because the protein deficiency is proportionally less severe compared to the overall caloric deficiency. *Voracious appetite* - Children with marasmus typically have **poor appetite** and **feeding difficulties**, not increased hunger, due to severe weakness and apathy. - The **energy depletion** and **muscle wasting** significantly reduce the child's interest in food and ability to consume adequate amounts.

Q: Protein content in cow's milk in comparison to human milk is?

Triple. ***Triple*** - The protein content in **cow's milk** is approximately **three times higher** than that found in **human milk**. - **Cow's milk** contains approximately **3.3 g/100 mL** of protein, while **human milk** contains about **1.0-1.3 g/100 mL**. - This higher protein load in cow's milk can be challenging for an infant's immature kidneys and digestion. - The predominant protein in cow's milk is **casein (80%)**, while human milk has more **whey proteins (60%)**. *Quadruple* - While cow's milk has significantly more protein than human milk, it is not **four times** the amount. - The exact ratio is closer to **three times (3:1)**, making quadruple an overestimation. *Double* - The protein content of cow's milk is **more than double** that of human milk. - Therefore, stating it is merely double **underestimates** the difference in protein concentration. *Same* - The protein content of **cow's milk and human milk are not the same**. - There are significant differences in both the **quantity** (3:1 ratio) and **type of proteins** (casein vs whey predominance). - These differences make each milk suited for different species' developmental needs.

Q: Craniotabes is seen in

Rickets. ***Rickets*** - **Craniotabes**, characterized by softening of the skull bones, is the **classic and most common** sign of **rickets** due to defective **bone mineralization**. - It is frequently seen in infants with **vitamin D deficiency**, leading to uncalcified skull bones that can be indented on gentle pressure. - This is the **expected answer** for craniotabes in medical examinations. *Hydrocephalus* - While hydrocephalus can cause an **enlarged head** and increased intracranial pressure, it does not directly cause the softening or **craniotabes** of the skull bones. - The skull bones might separate at the sutures due to pressure, but they don't become soft and compressible in the typical pattern of craniotabes. *Osteogenesis imperfecta* - This is a genetic disorder of **type I collagen** causing **brittle bones** that fracture easily. - While defective bone formation can rarely present with skull softening, craniotabes is **not a characteristic feature** of this condition. - Classic features include **blue sclerae**, **dentinogenesis imperfecta**, and **multiple fractures**. *All of the options* - This is incorrect because **craniotabes** is **characteristically and classically** associated with **rickets**, which is the primary pathological cause. - While other conditions may affect bone structure, rickets remains the definitive answer for craniotabes in clinical practice.

Q: A young patient presents with enlargement of costochondral junctions, gum bleeding, and a white line of Fraenkel at the metaphysis. The most likely diagnosis is:

Scurvy. ***Scurvy*** - This presentation is classic for **scurvy**, a disease caused by severe **vitamin C deficiency**. - **Enlargement of costochondral junctions** (**rachitic rosary** in scurvy is due to subperiosteal hemorrhage), **gum bleeding** (due to impaired collagen synthesis affecting blood vessel integrity), and the **white line of Fraenkel** (a dense calcified metaphyseal line due to irregular calcification) are characteristic signs of infantile scurvy. *Rickets* - While rickets also causes **rachitic rosary**, it is due to **uncalcified cartilage** and not subperiosteal hemorrhage. - The primary cause is **vitamin D deficiency**, leading to defective bone mineralization, but typically does not cause gum bleeding or the specific "white line of Fraenkel." *Hyperparathyroidism* - Characterized by **increased parathyroid hormone (PTH)**, leading to bone resorption and elevated serum calcium levels. - Presents with symptoms like **bone pain**, **fractures**, and **renal stones**, but not typically gum bleeding or the specific radiological findings seen here. *Osteomalacia* - This is the adult form of **rickets**, caused by **vitamin D deficiency** or impaired phosphate metabolism, leading to inadequate mineralization of new bone (osteoid). - Symptoms include bone pain and muscle weakness, but not the gum bleeding or the specific metaphyseal changes (white line of Fraenkel) seen in childhood scurvy.

Q: The earliest evidence of Rickets is seen by:

S. phosphorus level. ***S. phosphorus level*** - **Low serum phosphorus** is one of the **earliest biochemical markers** of rickets, appearing before radiological changes become evident. - Hypophosphatemia results from **inadequate vitamin D** leading to decreased intestinal absorption of phosphorus and/or increased renal phosphate wasting. - Biochemical abnormalities **precede radiological manifestations** in the natural progression of rickets. - This makes serum phosphorus measurement critical for **early detection** and intervention. *S. alkaline phosphatase level* - Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase is an important biochemical marker indicating increased osteoblastic activity. - However, it is **less specific** than serum phosphorus and may be elevated in other conditions affecting bone growth. - While it rises early in rickets, serum phosphorus changes are typically detected first. *Radiological examination of growing end of bone* - Radiological findings such as **widening of growth plates**, **cupping**, and **fraying** of metaphyses are characteristic of rickets. - However, these changes represent **established disease** rather than earliest evidence. - Radiological changes become visible only **after biochemical abnormalities** have been present for some time. - X-ray findings confirm the diagnosis but are not the earliest detectable changes. *S. calcium level* - **Serum calcium levels** are often maintained within normal range in early rickets due to compensatory mechanisms. - Increased **parathyroid hormone (PTH)** secretion mobilizes calcium from bone to maintain serum levels. - Hypocalcemia typically occurs only in **severe or late-stage** rickets when compensatory mechanisms fail.

Q: Which component of breast milk provides the primary protection against gastrointestinal infections in newborns?

Secretory IgA. ***Secretory IgA*** - Breast milk contains **secretory IgA (sIgA)**, which is the **primary antibody** providing mucosal immunity in the infant's gastrointestinal tract. - sIgA **binds to pathogens** (bacteria, viruses, parasites) and prevents their adherence to the intestinal epithelium, thus offering the **most important protection** against gastrointestinal infections. - It is present in **high concentrations** in colostrum and mature breast milk, and is **resistant to gastric acid and proteolytic enzymes**. - Provides protection against pathogens like **rotavirus, E. coli, Giardia, Shigella**, and other enteric organisms. *Lactoferrin* - Lactoferrin is an **iron-binding glycoprotein** that has antimicrobial properties by sequestering iron needed by pathogenic bacteria. - While it provides some protection, it is **not the primary** protective component against GI infections. *Lysozyme* - Lysozyme is an **enzyme** that breaks down bacterial cell walls and has antimicrobial activity. - Present in breast milk but plays a **secondary role** compared to secretory IgA in gastrointestinal protection. *Complement C3* - While complement components are present in breast milk, they are in **lower concentrations** and are **not the primary** mechanism of GI protection in newborns. - Complement system provides more systemic immunity rather than mucosal protection.

Q: Which of the following, if normal, would be most significant in making PEM unlikely?

Lean body mass. ***Lean body mass*** - A normal **lean body mass** indicates adequate muscle and organ tissue, which is the primary component affected by **Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM)**. - Maintaining normal lean body mass despite potential weight loss makes significant PEM, especially the **marasmic type**, less likely. *Extracellular fluid (ECF)* - **Extracellular fluid (ECF)** can be normal or even increased in cases of **edematous PEM** (kwashiorkor) due to decreased oncotic pressure, making it an unreliable indicator for excluding PEM. - Normal ECF does not rule out the depletion of protein, fat, and muscle mass that characterizes PEM. *Serum Potassium* - **Serum potassium** levels can be normal or abnormal (low or high) in PEM depending on hydration status, renal function, and refeeding syndrome, making it a non-specific indicator for excluding the condition. - It does not directly reflect the overall **nutritional status** or body composition changes seen in PEM. *Skin fold thickness* - **Skin fold thickness** measures subcutaneous fat stores, which can be normal or even preserved in some forms of PEM, particularly **kwashiorkor**, even when severe protein deficiency exists. - While reduced skin fold thickness suggests **marasmus**, a normal value does not conclusively rule out **protein deficiency** or other forms of PEM.

Q: Which nutrient is most deficient in a child with kwashiorkor?

Protein. ***Protein*** - Kwashiorkor is classically defined as **protein deficiency** with relatively adequate calorie intake. - This leads to characteristic symptoms like **edema**, **ascites**, and **muscle wasting**. *Iron* - While **anemia** and iron deficiency can coexist with kwashiorkor, iron is not the primary defining nutritional deficiency. - Iron deficiency typically presents with **pallor**, fatigue, and pica, distinct from the edema seen in kwashiorkor. *Calcium* - **Calcium deficiency** is known to cause conditions like **rickets** (in children) or **osteoporosis** (in adults), affecting bone health. - It does not directly explain the widespread edema and skin changes characteristic of kwashiorkor. *Vitamin D* - **Vitamin D deficiency** primarily affects **bone mineralization**, leading to **rickets** in children and **osteomalacia** in adults. - It is not the main nutrient deficient in kwashiorkor, which is fundamentally a protein deficiency.

Question 1

In marasmus, which of the following is characteristically seen?

Accepted Answer

Severe muscle wasting

Answer

Hepatomegaly

Answer

Edema

Answer

Voracious appetite

Question 2

Protein content in cow's milk in comparison to human milk is?

Accepted Answer

Triple

Answer

Quadruple

Answer

Double

Answer

Same

Question 3

Craniotabes is seen in

Accepted Answer

Rickets

Answer

Hydrocephalus

Answer

Osteogenesis imperfecta

Answer

All of the options

Question 4

A young patient presents with enlargement of costochondral junctions, gum bleeding, and a white line of Fraenkel at the metaphysis. The most likely diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Scurvy

Answer

Rickets

Answer

Hyperparathyroidism

Answer

Osteomalacia

Question 5

The earliest evidence of Rickets is seen by:

Accepted Answer

S. phosphorus level

Answer

Radiological examination of growing end of bone

Answer

S. calcium level

Answer

S. alkaline phosphatase level

Question 6

Which combination of features is most characteristic of nutritional rickets?

Accepted Answer

Widening of wrists, delayed dentition, muscle hypotonia, bowing of long bones

Answer

Delayed dentition, muscle hypotonia, bowing of long bones

Answer

Widening of wrists, delayed dentition, muscle hypotonia, bowing of long bones, early fontanelle closure

Answer

Growth retardation only

Question 7

Which component of breast milk provides the primary protection against gastrointestinal infections in newborns?

Accepted Answer

Secretory IgA

Answer

Lysozyme

Answer

Complement C3

Answer

Lactoferrin

Question 8

Which of the following, if normal, would be most significant in making PEM unlikely?

Accepted Answer

Lean body mass

Answer

Serum Potassium

Answer

Skin fold thickness

Answer

Extracellular fluid (ECF)

Question 9

A 5-year-old has the following anthropometry findings: Weight/age < -3.2 SD, Height/age < -2.5 SD, Weight/height < -1.7 SD. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Severe Acute Malnutrition with stunting

Answer

Moderate acute malnutrition

Answer

Chronic malnutrition

Answer

Severe Acute Malnutrition

Question 10

Which nutrient is most deficient in a child with kwashiorkor?

Accepted Answer

Protein

Answer

Iron

Answer

Calcium

Answer

Vitamin D

Pediatric Nutrition — MCQs

Pediatric Nutrition — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?