Photophobia is a sign seen in which age group with meningitis?

• A. Neonate
• B. Infants
• C. Toddlers
• D. Older children

Answer: (D)

Photophobia in meningitis is a subjective symptom that people report only if they can communicate it. As children grow older and gain the ability to describe discomfort, they can reliably report light sensitivity, so photophobia becomes a sign seen in older children (and adults). In neonates and infants, signs are nonspecific—irritability, poor feeding, lethargy—and they can’t clearly express a reaction to light, making photophobia an unreliable indicator in that age group. Toddlers may be distressed but often cannot pinpoint light as the trigger. So, photophobia is best observed in older children, which is why that option fits.