Iron and Anaemia

Question 1

A 12-month-old girl is admitted under your care for pneumonia. The blood count shows, unexpectedly, a haemoglobin of 75 g/l. What is the MOST COMMON cause of anaemia at this age?

Question 1Select one:

a.
Dietary iron deficiency

b.
Chronic rectal bleeding

c.
Alpha thalassaemia trait

d.
Vitamin B12 deficiency

Answer 1

Dietary iron deficiency

Question 2

Kelly aged 12 months has a haemoglobin of 75 g/l. The blood film shows low MCV and MCH. There is anisocytosis, microcytosis and hypochromia with no target cells. You suspect iron deficiency anaemia.

What source of regular blood loss would explain these findings

Question 2Select one:

a.
Chronic reflux oesophagitis

b.
Microscopic haematuria

c.
Chronic ano-rectal fissure

d.
Recurrent nose bleeding

Answer 2

Chronic reflux oesophagitis

fissure, nosebleeds, haematuria not constant enough.

Question 3

Darrel is 18 months old. After three months therapy for iron deficiency anaemia his haemoglobin has improved from 80 g/l to 95 g/l but he still has biochemical iron deficiency. His mother asks you what things in his diet may affect his iron therapy.

Which dietary component can increase iron absorption?

Question 3Select one:

a.
Fresh spinach

b.
Darjeeling tea

c.
Ascorbic acid

d.
Calcium salts

Answer 3

Ascorbic acid

Vitamin C, the rest all prevent absorption