Weakness and Paralysis (Assessment & Diagnosis) — 4mo Infant | Pediatric Infectious | MCCQE1 Q#12124
MCCQE1 Question #12124
Dimension of Care
Acute Care
Activity
Assessment & Diagnosis
Objective
Weakness and Paralysis
Section
Pediatrics
Subject
Pediatric Infectious
Last updated: February 2026
A 4-month-old term infant is brought to a community emergency department because of progressive floppiness over 2 days. The parents report a weak cry, poor feeding with diminished suck, and constipation for 4 days. They recently started adding honey to the infant’s cereal. There is no fever or recent illness. On exam, the infant is alert but markedly hypotonic with head lag. Cranial nerve exam shows weak suck and decreased gag, with diffusely decreased deep tendon reflexes and intact sensation. What is the most likely cause of this infant’s hypotonia?
Full answer analysis and choices are available inside the practice session.
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