OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose answer is Edwards syndrome. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how Edwards syndrome will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a tradition question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a disease is quite valuable.
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
A 5 lb 4 oz newborn is delivered at 38 weeks gestation to a new mother who has had limited prenatal care. The mother drank “a few” beers daily but denies using any illegal drugs during the course of the pregnancy. The newborn is not cyanotic. Physical exam shows a prominent occiput, narrow palpebral fissures, a small recessed mandible, and also a short sternum. The hands are clenched tightly with the index finger folder over the middle finger. The small finger is also folded over the ring finger. There is a grade 3/6 holosystolic murmur that is appreciated at the lower left sternal border. The abdomen is soft and there is no hepatosplenomegaly. The peripheral pulses are palpated without issue. The patient has generalized hypotonia. The deep tendon reflexes are all present. What could be the likely cause of this patient’s low birth weight?
Explanation: clenched hand with overlapping fingers = Edwards syndrome
Page Updated: 11.18.2016