skip to main content

Coarctation of the aorta — MRCPCH FOP MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardCardiologyCoarctation of the aortaMRCPCH FOP

A 12-day-old boy is pale and feeding poorly. His right arm blood pressure is 92/55 mmHg, leg pulses are weak, oxygen saturation is 94% in the right hand and 88% in the foot. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Coarctation of the aorta

Poor feeding with weak femoral pulses and differential saturations suggests duct-dependent systemic circulation from coarctation. Pulmonary stenosis may cause cyanosis but would not explain weak leg pulses. An innocent murmur would not cause shock or saturation differential. The pearl is to palpate femoral pulses in every unwell neonate.

Reference: NICE CKS Congenital heart disease; BNFc Prostaglandin E1