UPSC-CMS 2021 - Pediatrics PYQs Practice Questions

Q: An eight month old male child is brought to the emergency with recurrent episodes of screaming and drawing up of legs. The child appears to be listless in between the attacks. Local examination of abdomen reveals feeling of emptiness in the right iliac fossa and blood stained mucus is found on the finger on rectal examination. The most probable clinical diagnosis in this child is

Acute intussusception. ***Acute intussusception*** - The classic triad of symptoms in an infant – **intermittent abdominal pain** (screaming, drawing up legs), **vomiting**, and **currant jelly stools** (blood-stained mucus) – is highly indicative of intussusception. - The presence of a **"dance sign"** (emptiness in the right iliac fossa due to the displacement of the cecum) and a palpable sausage-shaped mass (though not explicitly stated, implied by emptiness) further supports this diagnosis. *Rectal prolapse* - While rectal prolapse can present with crying and blood in the stool, it would typically involve the **visible protrusion of rectal tissue from the anus**, which is not described. - It does not cause the intermittent severe abdominal pain and listlessness consistent with an acute intestinal obstruction. *Midgut volvulus* - Midgut volvulus typically presents with **bilious vomiting** and signs of acute intestinal obstruction and ischemia (e.g., severe abdominal distension, peritonitis, shock). - While it can cause bloody stools due to ischemia, the characteristic **intermittent pain and asymptomatic periods** between attacks, along with the specific rectal findings, are more characteristic of intussusception. *Caecal volvulus* - Caecal volvulus is more common in **older children or adults** and presents with acute abdominal pain, distension, and signs of large bowel obstruction. - It would not typically present with the intermittent episodes of pain and the classic **"currant jelly" stools** or the "dance sign" seen in intussusception in an infant. [Practice more Pediatrics PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Compared to breast milk, colostrum has

higher protein content. ***higher protein content*** - Colostrum is rich in **immunoglobulins** (antibodies) and other **protective proteins**, which are crucial for the newborn's immune system. - These proteins, including **IgA**, **lactoferrin**, and **growth factors**, contribute to its higher protein concentration (2-3 times higher) compared to mature breast milk. *lower water content* - Colostrum does have **slightly lower water content** (~87%) compared to mature breast milk (~88-90%), making it more concentrated. - However, this difference is minimal and not the most clinically significant distinguishing feature compared to the marked protein difference. *higher carbohydrate content* - Colostrum has a **lower carbohydrate content** (primarily lactose) compared to mature breast milk. - Mature milk develops a higher lactose content to support the infant's increasing energy demands. *higher fat content* - **Mature breast milk** has a significantly **higher fat content** than colostrum. - The fat in mature milk provides the primary source of energy for the rapidly growing infant, which is less critical in early colostrum feeding. [Practice more Pediatrics PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following are causes of GnRH dependent precocious puberty? 1. Constitutional 2. Tubercular Encephalitis 3. McCune-Albright syndrome 4. Primary hypothyroidism

1, 2 and 3. ***1, 2 and 3*** - **Constitutional precocious puberty** is the most common form of central (GnRH-dependent) precocious puberty, where the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis matures prematurely without an underlying organic cause [1]. - **Tubercular encephalitis** can cause CNS lesions that stimulate the hypothalamus, leading to premature GnRH release and subsequent central precocious puberty [1]. - **McCune-Albright syndrome** is primarily associated with GnRH-independent precocious puberty, but in a small percentage of cases, chronic stimulation of the ovaries (due to activating GNAS mutations) can eventually lead to secondary central (GnRH-dependent) precocious puberty via an exhausted feedback mechanism. *1 and 2 only* - This option is incorrect because while constitutional precocious puberty and tubercular encephalitis are causes of GnRH-dependent precocious puberty, McCune-Albright syndrome can also lead to GnRH-dependent precocious puberty secondarily. - It omits a valid cause, making it an incomplete answer. *2, 3 and 4* - This option incorrectly includes **primary hypothyroidism** as a cause of GnRH-dependent precocious puberty. Primary hypothyroidism is associated with GnRH-independent (peripheral) precocious puberty due to elevated TSH cross-reacting with FSH receptors. - It also omits **constitutional precocious puberty**, which is the most common cause of GnRH-dependent precocious puberty [1]. *1, 3 and 4* - This option incorrectly includes **primary hypothyroidism** as a cause of GnRH-dependent precocious puberty; it is a cause of GnRH-independent precocity. - While constitutional precocious puberty is a correct inclusion, the presence of primary hypothyroidism makes this option incorrect for GnRH-dependent causes. [Practice more Pediatrics PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: The recommended dose of cotrimoxazole for treatment of pneumonia in a child weighing 16 kg is

Three paediatric tablets twice a day. ***Three paediatric tablets twice a day*** - A paediatric cotrimoxazole tablet contains **20 mg trimethoprim + 100 mg sulfamethoxazole**. - The recommended dose for pneumonia is **4 mg/kg trimethoprim + 20 mg/kg sulfamethoxazole** twice daily. - For a 16 kg child: Required dose = **64 mg trimethoprim + 320 mg sulfamethoxazole** per dose. - Three tablets provide **60 mg trimethoprim + 300 mg sulfamethoxazole**, which is the closest appropriate dose to the calculated requirement. *One paediatric tablet twice a day* - This provides only **20 mg trimethoprim + 100 mg sulfamethoxazole** per dose. - This is **grossly inadequate** for a 16 kg child, providing less than one-third of the required dose. - Such underdosing risks treatment failure and antibiotic resistance. *Two paediatric tablets twice a day* - This provides **40 mg trimethoprim + 200 mg sulfamethoxazole** per dose. - While better than one tablet, this is still **subtherapeutic** for a 16 kg child with pneumonia. - This represents only about 60% of the recommended dose. *Four paediatric tablets twice a day* - This provides **80 mg trimethoprim + 400 mg sulfamethoxazole** per dose. - This is **slightly higher** than required but would risk unnecessary adverse effects. - Three tablets is the more appropriate choice for this weight range. [Practice more Pediatrics PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: The classical triad of congenital defects in Congenital Rubella Syndrome include which of the following? 1. Hydrocephalus 2. Deafness 3. Cardiac malformations 4. Cataract

2, 3 and 4. ***2, 3 and 4*** - The classical triad of congenital defects associated with **Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS)** typically refers to **deafness**, **cataracts**, and **cardiac malformations**. - These are the most common and prominent features that result from transplacental infection during early pregnancy. *1, 2 and 3 and 4* - This option incorrectly includes **hydrocephalus** as part of the classical triad. While other neurological manifestations can occur in CRS, hydrocephalus is not a defining feature of the classical triad. - The three most prominent and characteristic defects in CRS are **deafness, cataracts, and cardiac malformations**. *1, 2 and 4* - This option incorrectly includes **hydrocephalus** and omits **cardiac malformations**, which is a key component of the classical triad. - The classical triad specifically highlights defects in the **eyes (cataracts)**, **ears (deafness)**, and **heart (cardiac malformations)**. *1, 2 and 3* - This option incorrectly includes **hydrocephalus** and omits **cataracts**, which is a definitive feature of the classical triad of CRS. - While cardiac and auditory defects (deafness) are part of the triad, ocular defects (cataracts) are equally crucial for the classical definition. [Practice more Pediatrics PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

An eight month old male child is brought to the emergency with recurrent episodes of screaming and drawing up of legs. The child appears to be listless in between the attacks. Local examination of abdomen reveals feeling of emptiness in the right iliac fossa and blood stained mucus is found on the finger on rectal examination. The most probable clinical diagnosis in this child is

Accepted Answer

Acute intussusception

Answer

Rectal prolapse

Answer

Midgut volvulus

Answer

Caecal volvulus

Question 2

Compared to breast milk, colostrum has

Accepted Answer

higher protein content

Answer

lower water content

Answer

higher carbohydrate content

Answer

higher fat content

Question 3

Which of the following are causes of GnRH dependent precocious puberty?

1. Constitutional
2. Tubercular Encephalitis
3. McCune-Albright syndrome
4. Primary hypothyroidism

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 4

The recommended dose of cotrimoxazole for treatment of pneumonia in a child weighing 16 kg is

Accepted Answer

Three paediatric tablets twice a day

Answer

Four paediatric tablets twice a day

Answer

Two paediatric tablets twice a day

Answer

One paediatric tablet twice a day

Question 5

The classical triad of congenital defects in Congenital Rubella Syndrome include which of the following?

1. Hydrocephalus
2. Deafness
3. Cardiac malformations
4. Cataract

Accepted Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

UPSC-CMS 2021 — Pediatrics