Biology

Pregnancy and Childbirth

964 Questions

This hub covers essential biology questions on pregnancy, fetal development, and childbirth. Topics include the placenta, maternal physiology, and the stages of labor. These concepts are frequently tested in general science sections of various competitive examinations.

Placenta and fetal nutritionStages of laborMaternal immune systemPregnancy complications

Pregnancy and Childbirth Questions

Multiple choice

The blood circulation of a two to three month old breast-fed baby will contain maternal ____________.

  1. IgA

  2. IgD

  3. IgE

  4. IgG

  5. IgM
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Maternal IgG is transferred across the placenta from the mother to the fetus by a mechanism involving the specific Fc gamma receptor FcRn IgG is the only immunoglobulin class to cross the placenta. Immunoglobulins in the milk (mostly secretory IgA) will provide enteric protection for the baby, but are not absorbed. Thus the maternal immunoglobulin in the circulation of a 2-month-old-baby will mostly be placentally-transferred IgG, which will provide 'cover' for the first few months of life.

Multiple choice

A young couple has been blessed with a baby boy. Which immunoglobulin class crosses the placenta to provide a high level of passive immunity at the time of parturition?

  1. IgA

  2. IgD

  3. IgE

  4. IgG

  5. IgM
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

IgG is the only class of immunoglobulin which is acquired by the neonate by placental transfer from the mother. This process is dependent upon Fc structures specific to this Ig class. The maternal IgG is catabolized with a half-life of approximately 23 days.

Multiple choice

A woman is having a twin pregnancy of 14 weeks' gestationtOne placenta and one separate amniotic sac are identified. In which one of the following scenarios is this most likely to arise?

  1. Ovulation induction

  2. ICSI with single embryo transfer

  3. Natural conception

  4. Family history of multiple pregnancy

  5. Maternal age 35–39 years
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This increases the risk of monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins by 5 times;  the reasons for this are poorly understood.

Multiple choice

Which one among the following pregnancies carries the greatest risk of an adverse outcome?  

  1. Singleton pregnancy

  2. Dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twins

  3. Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins

  4. Monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins

  5. Disappearing twin
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Pregnancies that share the placenta and amnion are at highest risk of adverse outcome because of risk of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and cord entanglement.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is correct of congenital abnormalities in a developing foetus?

  1. Malformations in a developing foetus occur due to insults in the second or third trimester.

  2. An abnormal uterus or breech position does not cause limb abnormalities in a developing foetus.

  3. Deformities of the skull bones in a developing foetus are extremely rare and need urgent neurosurgical referral.

  4. Talipes equinovarus riverts best to early corrective surgery.

  5. Congenital anomaly in a developing foetus helps in the identification of a teratogenic source.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

It is important to monitor congenital abnormalities to understand their aetiology. Preconception folic acid supplementation to prevent spina bifida shows the benefit of recognizing high-risk groups.

Multiple choice

Placenta besides being an organic connection between mother and foetus is also a/an

  1. endocrine gland

  2. digestive gland

  3. sense organ

  4. pumping organ of blood
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Placenta is a hugely important endocrine organ, producing many hormones which affect the status of pregnancy and the maternal physiology. The Placenta is a hugely important endocrine organ, producing many hormones which affect the status of pregnancy and the maternal physiology.

Multiple choice

Surfactant is produced in:

  1. womb

  2. placenta

  3. lungs

  4. gallbladder
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Surfactant is a complex naturally occurring substance made of six lipids (fats) and four proteins that is produced in the lungs. It can also be manufactured synthetically. Surfactant reduces the surface tension of fluid in the lungs and helps make the small air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) more stable. This keeps them from collapsing when an individual exhales.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following statements about immunoglobulin in fetal and neonatal infants is false?

  1. Maternal IgG is placentally transferred from 32 to 40 weeks of gestation.

  2. IgM is the first Ig to be made in the fetus.

  3. Most maternal IgG has been catabolized in a normal infant by 12 to 24 weeks of life.

  4. Breast milk IgA is absorbed by the infant's small intestine for up to 6 months of life.

  5. IgM antibodies does not pass across the human placenta.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Human infants do not absorb oral IgA from colostrum or milk, unlike lambs.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following statements concerning the phospholipid antibody syndrome in pregnancy is true?  

  1. Women in pregnancy, with a history of serious thrombotic episodes and high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies, are treated with aspirin and low-dose of heparin.

  2. 95% of pregnant women with anti-phospholipid antibodies will suffer a miscarriage.

  3. Immunosuppression is used to reduce the level of antibody titres to achieve a successful pregnancy.

  4. Infants of mothers with antiphospholipid antibodies have congenital heart block.

  5. Antiphospholipid antibodies are present in 50-60% of all cases of deep vein thrombosis.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Such women are treated with aspirin and low-dose heparin - both in pregnancy and afterwards.

Multiple choice

Which of the following diseases in an infant is not a manifestation of maternal IgG antibody crossing the placenta?  

  1. Myaesthenia gravis

  2. Malar rash

  3. HIV infection

  4. Thyrotoxicosis

  5. Haemolytic disease of the newborn.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

HIV infection is due to transmission of the HIV virus, not the antibody. However, the presence of maternal anti-HIV IgG can lead to diagnostic difficulty. It is therefore necessary to confirm HIV infection in the newborn by the presence of viral DNA or RNA using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

Multiple choice

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease. Which one of the following statements associated with pregnancy in women with ITP is true?

  1. Twin pregnancies is more frequent.

  2. Neonatal ITP is seen in 80% of the neonates of women with ITP.

  3. In a mother with a previous history of an infant with neonatal bruising, it is not necessary to test the mother's serum against the father's platelets.

  4. Pregnant women with even mild ITP will suffer recurrent miscarriages.

  5. In a mother with a previous history of an infant with neonatal bruising, it is essential to test the mother's platelets for bound antibody.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The mother might have subacute ITP or there may be alloimmune antibodies to platelet antigens (PLA).

Multiple choice

Which one of the following statement about maternal antibodies and recurrent abortions is true?

  1. Maternal HLA antibodies are produced in only 10% of pregnancies.

  2. Maternal HLA antibodies are associated with recurrent abortions.

  3. There are many causes of recurrent miscarriages and often a cause is not found.

  4. Maternal antibodies to the TSH receptors is a common cause of recurrent abortions.

  5. Sufferer of Thrombophilia.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This statement is correct. About one woman in 100 experiences recurrent miscarriage. For a third of women who have recurrent miscarriage, no reason will be found. But, there can be problems that cause some women to miscarry again and again.