Signs of Live Birth & Viability MCQ Quiz | Forensic Pathology

Welcome to the Signs of Live Birth & Viability quiz, designed for MBBS students specializing in Forensic Pathology. This quiz will test your understanding of the critical forensic signs used to determine if an infant was born alive and whether it was viable. Covering topics from the hydrostatic test and circulatory changes at birth to indicators of fetal maturity like ossification centers, these 25 multiple-choice questions are structured to reinforce key concepts from your curriculum. After submitting your answers, you’ll receive your score and see a detailed breakdown of correct and incorrect responses. You can also download all the questions with their correct answers in a PDF format for future revision. Good luck!

1. The Hydrostatic Test (Breslau’s test) is used to determine which of the following?

2. Which of the following is a classic distinguishing feature of a Caput Succedaneum compared to a Cephalhematoma?

3. The presence of an ossification center in the lower end of the femur (Beclard’s nucleus) is an indicator of fetal maturity, typically appearing around:

4. According to the WHO definition, which of the following is considered a definitive sign of live birth after complete expulsion from the mother?

5. Maceration is a post-mortem change seen in stillborns, characterized by:

6. The presence of a “line of demarcation” or inflammatory ring at the base of the umbilical stump is a sign of:

7. Spalding’s sign, an overlapping of the fetal skull bones seen on an X-ray, is indicative of:

8. A false-positive result in the Hydrostatic Test (lungs float) can be caused by:

9. The term “viability” in a forensic context primarily refers to the infant’s ability to:

10. Which circulatory structure’s closure after birth redirects blood from the right atrium to the right ventricle instead of the left atrium?

11. Haase’s Rule is used to estimate the:

12. The presence of air in the stomach and intestines (as confirmed by placing the ligated organs in water) is known as:

13. In the context of a live birth, what does meconium staining of the amniotic fluid and infant’s skin typically indicate?

14. Which finding is most consistent with a stillborn fetus?

15. Wredin’s test checks for the presence of air in the:

16. The legal implication of proving a live birth is crucial in cases of suspected:

17. Fetus papyraceus is an example of which intrauterine post-mortem change?

18. A false-negative Hydrostatic Test (lungs sink) may occur if the infant:

19. Ploucquet’s test compares the weight of the lungs to the:

20. Which of the following is NOT a reliable sign of live birth?

21. In a newborn, the ductus arteriosus connects the:

22. What is the approximate gestational age when testes descend into the scrotum?

23. The “mosaic” or “leopard spot” appearance of lungs on microscopy is characteristic of:

24. Which of the following is a vital reaction, indicating the infant was alive when the injury occurred?

25. A newborn is found to have a crown-heel length of 50 cm. Using Haase’s Rule, what is the estimated gestational age in lunar months?