Important Questions from Ghai Essential Pediatrics

1. Growth and Development

• Define and classify growth parameters. What are the methods of assessing gestational age?
• Describe developmental milestones from birth to 5 years (gross motor, fine motor, language, social).
• What is the Denver Developmental Screening Test? How is it performed?
• Define developmental delay vs. developmental regression. Give causes of global developmental delay.
• Enumerate Tanner stages of puberty in boys and girls. Define precocious puberty.
• What are the causes of short stature? How will you evaluate a child with short stature?
• Define failure to thrive. Enumerate organic and non-organic causes.

2. Neonatology

• Define and classify low birth weight (LBW), preterm, and small-for-gestational age (SGA).
• What is the Apgar score? How is it calculated and what action is taken at each score range?
• Describe the steps of neonatal resuscitation (NRP protocol).
• Define and classify neonatal jaundice. Describe the management of pathological jaundice including exchange transfusion indications.
• What is birth asphyxia? Describe Sarnat staging of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Management?
• Define neonatal sepsis. List early-onset vs. late-onset features, causative organisms, and treatment.
• What is Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) of the newborn? Etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, and management (surfactant therapy).
• Describe causes of respiratory distress in a newborn. Differentiate RDS from transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN).
• What is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)? Clinical features, Bell's staging, and management.
• Enumerate causes and management of neonatal convulsions.
• What is meconium aspiration syndrome? How is it managed?
• Describe hemolytic disease of the newborn (erythroblastosis fetalis) - pathogenesis, features, and management.
• What is retinopathy of prematurity? Staging and management.

3. Nutrition and Malnutrition

• Define and classify protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Differentiate marasmus from kwashiorkor.
• Describe the WHO 10-step management protocol for severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
• Define and classify anemia in children. Management of iron deficiency anemia.
• What are the clinical features and management of Vitamin D deficiency rickets? How is it differentiated from other causes?
• Describe Vitamin A deficiency - clinical features (Bitot's spots, xerophthalmia), Dakar classification, and management.
• What is Vitamin C deficiency (Scurvy)? Clinical features and management.
• What are the requirements and sources of essential micronutrients (Vitamin B12, folate, zinc, iodine) in children?
• Define breastfeeding. What are the advantages? Describe the WHO recommendations for breastfeeding.
• What is complementary feeding? When should it be started? What are common errors?
• What is marasmic kwashiorkor? Describe MUAC measurement and its significance.

4. Immunization

• Write the National Immunization Schedule (NIS) of India.
• What are live attenuated vs. killed vaccines? Give examples.
• Define cold chain. Enumerate the components of cold chain.
• What is the EPI (Expanded Program of Immunization)? What vaccines are included?
• Describe the adverse effects of DPT vaccine and its contraindications.
• What is herd immunity? Define it and give its significance.
• Write a note on newer vaccines - Hib, PCV, rotavirus, HPV, varicella, hepatitis A.
• What is AEFI (Adverse Event Following Immunization)?

5. Infections and Infectious Diseases

• Describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of typhoid fever in children.
• Describe dengue fever - classification (dengue fever, DHF, DSS), NS1 antigen, serology, management, and warning signs.
• What is malaria in children? Describe severe malaria - clinical features and management (cerebral malaria).
• Describe the clinical features and management of measles. What are the complications?
• Write a note on chickenpox - clinical features, complications, treatment, and prevention.
• Describe whooping cough (pertussis) - clinical stages, complications, and treatment.
• What are the clinical features and management of diphtheria? Describe pseudomembrane.
• Describe poliomyelitis - pathogenesis, clinical features (paralytic vs. non-paralytic), and eradication.
• What is meningitis in children? Differentiate bacterial from viral meningitis (CSF analysis). Management of bacterial meningitis.
• Describe encephalitis in children. Etiology and management.
• What is kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis)? Features and treatment.
• Describe tuberculosis in children - primary complex, clinical forms, diagnosis (Mantoux test, CBNAAT), and treatment regimens.
• What is tubercular meningitis (TBM)? Clinical features, CSF findings, staging (British Medical Research Council staging), and treatment.
• Write a note on HIV in children - classification, diagnosis, PPTCT, and ART.

6. Respiratory System

• Describe the clinical features and management of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in children - IMCI classification.
• What is pneumonia? WHO criteria, causative organisms by age, and management.
• Describe bronchial asthma in children - GINA classification, clinical features, and stepwise management. Status asthmaticus management.
• What is croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)? Differentiate from epiglottitis. Steeple sign.
• Describe bronchiolitis - etiology (RSV), clinical features, and management.
• What is foreign body aspiration? Clinical features and management.
• Describe cystic fibrosis - pathogenesis (CFTR gene), clinical features, sweat chloride test, and management.
• What are the causes of chronic cough in children?

7. Cardiovascular System

• Describe the classification of congenital heart disease (cyanotic vs. acyanotic).
• What is Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)? Hemodynamics, clinical features, and management.
• Describe Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) - components, pathophysiology, boot-shaped heart on X-ray, Tet spells, and management.
• What is Transposition of Great Arteries (TGA)? Clinical features, egg-on-side X-ray, and management.
• Describe Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) - types, clinical features, fixed splitting of S2, and management.
• What is Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)? Clinical features, machinery murmur, and treatment (indomethacin vs. surgery).
• Describe rheumatic fever - Jones criteria, clinical features, and prophylaxis regimens.
• What is infective endocarditis? Duke criteria, clinical features, and management.
• Describe heart failure in children - clinical features and management.

8. Gastrointestinal System

• Describe acute diarrhea in children - IMNCI classification, oral rehydration therapy (ORT), and management.
• What is the composition of ORS (WHO low-osmolarity ORS)? Principles of oral rehydration.
• Describe intussusception - clinical triad, current-jelly stools, target sign on USG, and management.
• What is Hirschsprung's disease? Clinical features, rectal biopsy findings, and management.
• Describe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants.
• What are the causes of neonatal intestinal obstruction? Differentiate duodenal vs. ileal atresia.
• Describe celiac disease - pathogenesis, anti-tTG antibodies, subtotal villous atrophy, and management.
• What is pyloric stenosis? Clinical features, olive-shaped mass, metabolic alkalosis, and management.

9. Liver Disease

• Describe neonatal cholestasis - causes (biliary atresia vs. neonatal hepatitis) and management.
• What is Reye's syndrome? Clinical features and management.
• Describe Wilson's disease - copper metabolism, clinical features (Kayser-Fleischer rings), and management.
• What is acute liver failure in children? Causes and management.

10. Kidney and Urinary Tract

• Describe nephrotic syndrome in children - minimal change disease, clinical features, complications, and steroid management.
• What is acute glomerulonephritis (AGN)? Describe post-streptococcal GN - clinical features, management, and prognosis.
• What is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)? Triad, etiology, and management.
• Describe urinary tract infection (UTI) in children - causative organisms, DMSA scan, VUR grading, and management.
• What is Wilms' tumor (nephroblastoma)? Clinical features, staging, and management.
• Describe renal tubular acidosis (RTA) - types and management.

11. Central Nervous System

• Describe febrile seizures - simple vs. complex, management, and recurrence prophylaxis.
• What is epilepsy in children? Classify seizures. Management of status epilepticus.
• Describe cerebral palsy - classification (spastic, athetoid, ataxic), clinical features, and rehabilitation.
• What is meningitis? Differentiate bacterial, viral, and tubercular meningitis (CSF analysis table).
• Describe Guillain-Barre syndrome - clinical features, CSF albuminocytological dissociation, and treatment.
• What is neural tube defect? Types (spina bifida occulta/meningocele/myelomeningocele), and prevention (folic acid).
• Describe hydrocephalus in children - types, causes, clinical features, and management (VP shunt).
• What is acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)? Differentiate polio from Guillain-Barre.

12. Endocrine System

• Describe juvenile diabetes mellitus (Type 1 DM) - pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and insulin therapy.
• What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? Clinical features, diagnosis, and management.
• Describe congenital hypothyroidism - screening, clinical features, and treatment.
• What is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)? Most common enzyme deficiency (21-hydroxylase), clinical features, and management.
• Describe diabetes insipidus in children - types (central vs. nephrogenic) and management.

13. Hematology and Oncology

• Describe sickle cell disease - pathogenesis, clinical features (vaso-occlusive crisis, acute chest syndrome), and management.
• What is thalassemia? Classify (alpha vs. beta), clinical features of beta-thalassemia major, and management (transfusion + chelation + BMT).
• Describe hemophilia - types (A and B), FVIII/FIX deficiency, clinical features, and management.
• What is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)? Clinical features and management.
• Describe acute leukemia in children - ALL vs. AML differentiation, FAB classification, and treatment principles.
• What is lymphoma in children? Hodgkin vs. non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

14. Genetic and Metabolic Disorders

• Describe Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) - clinical features, karyotype, and associated anomalies.
• What is Turner syndrome? Karyotype (45,XO), clinical features, and management.
• Describe Klinefelter syndrome - karyotype (47,XXY), features, and management.
• What is phenylketonuria (PKU)? Pathogenesis, screening (Guthrie test), and dietary management.
• Describe mucopolysaccharidoses - types (Hurler, Hunter) and features.
• What are inborn errors of metabolism? Classification and general approach.

15. Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders

• Describe dehydration in children - types (iso/hypo/hypertonic), assessment of severity, and management.
• What is hypernatremia? Causes and management.
• Describe hyponatremia - causes, SIADH, and management.
• What is hyperkalemia? ECG changes and emergency management.
• Describe metabolic acidosis in children - causes, compensation, and management.

16. Common Short Notes / High-Yield One-Liners

Most Frequently Asked Long Questions (University Exams)

1. Enumerate the causes of neonatal jaundice. Describe the management of pathological jaundice.
2. Describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of severe acute malnutrition.
3. Write the national immunization schedule. Add a note on cold chain.
4. Describe the clinical features, complications, and management of measles.
5. A 5-year-old child presents with frothy urine and periorbital edema. Describe your approach (Nephrotic syndrome).
6. Describe the clinical features and management of bacterial meningitis in children.
7. Enumerate the components of Tetralogy of Fallot. Describe its clinical features and management.
8. Describe febrile convulsions - classification, management, and when to investigate.
9. Describe the clinical features and management of Type 1 diabetes mellitus in children.
10. Write a note on dengue fever in children - classification and management.
11. Describe acute diarrhea in children - assessment of dehydration and management (ORT).
12. What is birth asphyxia? Describe the steps of neonatal resuscitation.

Study Tip: Ghai is the standard Indian undergraduate pediatrics text. For NEET-PG/INI-CET, also supplement with Harriet Lane Handbook for drug doses and normal values, and Nelson's Textbook for in-depth mechanisms. The IMCI/IMNCI classification of common illnesses (ARI, diarrhea, malaria, malnutrition) is extremely high-yield for both theory and clinical exams.