DNB Pediatrics – ten most repeated topics in exams

DNB AND DCH Pediatrics are one of the most difficult exams in DNB post graduate courses. It has quite low pass percentage which range between 30 – 50% looking at the previous trends.

This makes meticulous preparation for the exam very important for the DNB / DCH residents. Analysis of previous years questions and topics provide us the insights on the trend of exams.

Based on analysis of repeated questions across DNB Pediatrics exams (1993–2025) from the last 20 years of papers, we have prepared the following 10 most frequently repeated / high-yield topics, consistently asked in various formats (long notes, short notes, case scenarios):

🔟 Most Frequently Repeated Topics – DNB Pediatrics

1. Neonatal Sepsis

• Covers: sepsis screen, diagnosis, management, adjunct therapies
• Asked almost every 2–3 years
  Exam years:
  DNB June 1994, DNB Dec 1995, DNB June 2000, DNB June 2006, DNB June 2009, DNB June 2014, DNB June 2020, DNB June 2023

2. Neonatal Jaundice & Hyperbilirubinemia

• Bilirubin metabolism, phototherapy, kernicterus, prolonged jaundice
  Exam years:
  DNB June 1996, DNB June 2000, DNB June 2006, DNB June 2008, DNB Dec 2010, DNB Dec 2015, DNB June 2022, DNB June 2024

3. Nephrotic Syndrome (SRNS / FRNS)

• Steroid resistance, relapses, immunomodulators
  Exam years:
  DNB Dec 2006, DNB Dec 2009, DNB June 2011, DNB Dec 2016, DNB June 2018, DNB Dec 2020, DNB June 2023, DNB June 2025

4. Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)

• Definition, WHO steps, complications, ReSoMal
  Exam years:
  DNB June 2016, DNB June 2017, DNB June 2019, DNB June 2021, DNB June 2023, DNB Dec 2024

5. Neonatal Resuscitation

• Steps, guidelines, physiology of first breath
  Exam years:
  DNB June 2000, DNB June 2006, DNB June 2009, DNB June 2012, DNB June 2018, DNB June 2024

6. Respiratory Distress Syndrome (HMD)

• Surfactant, CPAP, ventilation strategies
  Exam years:
  DNB June 2011, DNB June 2015, DNB June 2017, DNB June 2019, DNB Dec 2022, DNB Dec 2024

7. Vitamin D Deficiency / Rickets

• Pathophysiology, treatment, refractory rickets
  Exam years:
  DNB June 2016, DNB Dec 2018, DNB June 2020, DNB June 2023, DNB Dec 2024

8. Neonatal Hypothermia & Thermoregulation

• Physiology, KMC, warm chain
  Exam years:
  DNB June 1997, DNB Dec 2006, DNB June 2013, DNB Dec 2018, DNB June 2024

9. Acute Leukemia (esp. ALL)

• Risk stratification, immunophenotyping, management
  Exam years:
  DNB Dec 1997, DNB June 2006, DNB Dec 2009, DNB June 2018, DNB Dec 2020, DNB June 2024

10. Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

• Etiology, staging, management, probiotics
  Exam years:
  DNB June 1997, DNB Dec 2004, DNB June 2009, DNB June 2020, DNB June 2024

Exam-Oriented Takeaway

If you prepare these 10 topics thoroughly, you will cover ~15–20% of core DNB Pediatrics questions.