Growth/Development — MCQs

A 5-week-old male infant is rushed to the emergency department due to severe vomiting and lethargy for the past 3 days. His mother describes the vomiting as forceful and projectile and contains undigested breast milk, but she did not notice any green fluids. He has not gained much weight in the past 3 weeks and looks very thin. He has a pulse of 144/min, temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F), and respiratory rate of 18/min. Mucous membranes are dry and the boy is lethargic. Abdominal examination reveals a palpable mass in the epigastrium that becomes more prominent after vomiting with visible peristaltic movements over the epigastrium. Barium-contrast studies show a double channel appearance of the pylorus. What is the best immediate step in the management of this patient’s condition?

A concerned father brings his 2 year-old son to the clinic for evaluation. In the past 24 hours, the child has had multiple episodes of painless bloody stools. On physical examination, the child's vital signs are within normal limits. There is mild generalized discomfort on palpation of the abdomen but no rebound or guarding. A technetium-99m (99mTc) pertechnetate scan indicates increased activity in two locations within the abdomen. Cells originating in which organ account for the increased radionucleotide activity?

A 3-month-old male presents to the pediatrician with his mother for a well child visit. The patient drinks 4 ounces of conventional cow’s milk formula every three hours. He usually stools once per day, and urinates up to six times per day. His mother reports that he regurgitates a moderate amount of formula through his nose and mouth after most feeds. He does not seem interested in additional feeding after these episodes of regurgitation, and he has become progressively more irritable around meal times. The patient is starting to refuse some feeds. His mother denies ever seeing blood or streaks of red in his stool, and she denies any family history of food allergies or dermatological problems. The patient’s weight was in the 75th percentile for weight throughout the first month of life. Four weeks ago, he was in the 62nd percentile, and he is now in the 48th percentile. His height and head circumference have followed similar trends. On physical exam, the patient smiles reciprocally and can lift his head and chest when in the prone position. His abdomen is soft, non-tender, and non-distended. Which of the following is the best next step in management?

An 8-month-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his mother and father due to decreasing activity and excessive sleepiness. The patient was born at full-term in the hospital with no complications. The patient's parents appear incredibly worried as their son has had no medical issues in the past. They show you videos of the child happily playing with his parents the day before. The patient's mother states that the patient hit his head while crawling this morning and since then has been difficult to arouse. His mother is worried because she thinks he had a fever earlier in the day and he was clutching his head and neck in pain. Physical examination shows a barely arousable boy with a large, full anterior fontanelle. The boy grimaces on palpation of his chest, and a radiograph shows posterior rib fractures. Retinal examination shows bilateral retinal hemorrhages. Which of the following is the most likely cause for this patient's presentation?

A 4-year-old girl is brought to the physician with a 3-month history of progressive intermittent pain and swelling involving both knees, right ankle, and right wrist. The patient has been undergoing treatment with acetaminophen and ice packs, both of which relieved her symptoms. The affected joints feel "stuck" and are difficult to move immediately upon waking up in the morning. However, the patient can move her joints freely after a few minutes. She also complains of occasional mild eye pain that resolves spontaneously. Five months ago, she was diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection that resolved without treatment. Vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination shows swollen and erythematous joints, which are tender to touch. Slit-lamp examination shows an anterior chamber flare with signs of iris inflammation bilaterally. Laboratory studies show: Blood parameters Hemoglobin 12.6 g/dL Leukocyte count 8,000/mm3 Segmented neutrophils 76% Eosinophils 1% Lymphocytes 20% Monocytes 3% Platelet count 360,000/mm3 Erythrocyte sedimentation rate 36 mm/hr Serum parameters Antinuclear antibodies 1:320 Rheumatoid factor negative Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

A 4-week-old male infant is brought to the physician due to a 1-week history of refusing to finish bottle feeds and becoming irritable shortly after feeding. He spits up sour-smelling milk after most feeds. Pregnancy and delivery were uncomplicated. The baby is at the 70th percentile for length and 50th percentile for weight. His temperature is 36.6°C (98°F), pulse is 180/min, respirations are 30/min, and blood pressure is 85/55 mm Hg. He appears lethargic. Examination shows sunken fontanelles and a strong rooting reflex. The abdomen is soft with a 1.5-cm nontender epigastric mass. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A mother brings her 10 month-old boy to the pediatrician for a check-up. His birth was without complications and his development to-date has been progressing normally. He currently crawls, pulls himself up to standing, says 'mama' and 'dada' nonspecifically, and responds when called by his name. However, his mother is concerned, as she has noted over the past several weeks that he has periods where he stops breathing when he gets frightened or upset. These episodes last for 20-30 seconds and are accompanied by his lips and face becoming bluish. His breathing has always resumed normally within 45 seconds after the start of the episode, and he acts normally afterwards. One instance resulted in the child passing out for a 5-10 seconds before a spontaneous recovery. Which of the following is the most appropriate management of this patient's condition?

A six-year-old male presents to the pediatrician for a well child visit. The patient’s parents report that they are struggling to manage his temper tantrums, which happen as frequently as several times per day. They usually occur in the morning before school and during mealtimes, when his parents try to limit how much he eats. The patient often returns for second or third helpings at meals and snacks throughout the day. The patient’s parents have begun limiting the patient’s food intake because he has been gaining weight. They also report that the patient recently began first grade but still struggles with counting objects and naming letters consistently. The patient sat without support at 11 months of age and walked at 17 months of age. He is in the 99th percentile for weight and 5th percentile for height. On physical exam, he has almond-shaped eyes and a downturned mouth. He has poor muscle tone. Which of the following additional findings would most likely be seen in this patient?

During the selection of subjects for a study on infantile vitamin deficiencies, a child is examined by the lead investigator. She is at the 75th percentile for head circumference and the 80th percentile for length and weight. She can lift her chest and shoulders up when in a prone position, but cannot roll over from a prone position. Her eyes follow objects past the midline. She coos and makes gurgling sounds. When the investigator strokes the sole of her foot, her big toe curls upward and there is fanning of her other toes. She makes a stepping motion when she is held upright and her feet are in contact with the examination table. Which of the following additional skills or behaviors would be expected in a healthy patient of this developmental age?

A 6-year-old boy presents to the office to establish care after recently being assigned to a shelter run by the local child protective services authority. The nurse who performed the vitals and intake says that, when offered an age-appropriate book to read while waiting for the physician, the patient said that he has never attended a school of any sort and is unable to read. He answers questions with short responses and avoids eye contact for most of the visit. His father suffers from alcoholism and physically abused the patient’s mother. Physical examination is negative for any abnormal findings, including signs of fracture or bruising. Which of the following types of abuse has the child most likely experienced?