A 25-year-old African-American woman visits the doctor’s office complaining of fatigue for a couple of months. She says that she feels exhausted by the end of the day. She works as a dental assistant and is on her feet most of the time. However, she eats well and also tries to walk for 30 minutes every morning. She also says that she sometimes feels breathless and has to gasp for air, especially when she is walking or jogging. Her past medical history is insignificant, except for occasional bouts of cold during the winters. Her physical exam findings are within normal limits except for moderate conjunctival pallor. Complete blood count results and iron profile are as follows: Hemoglobin 9 g/dL Hematocrit 28.5% RBC count 5.85 x 106/mm3 WBC count 5,500/mm3 Platelet count 212,000/mm3 MCV 56.1 fl MCH 20.9 pg/cell MCHC 25.6 g/dL RDW 11.7% Hb/cell Serum iron 170 mcg/dL Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) 458 mcg/dL Transferrin saturation 60% A peripheral blood smear is given. When questioned about her family history of anemia, she says that all she remembers is her dad was never allowed to donate blood as he was anemic. Which of the following most likely explains her cell counts and blood smear results?
AThalassemia
BIron-deficiency anemia
CB12 deficiency
DHemolysis
EFolate deficiency
A 44-year-old male immigrant presents to his primary care physician for a new patient visit. The patient reports chronic fatigue but states that he otherwise feels well. His past medical history is not known, and he is not currently taking any medications. The patient admits to drinking 7 alcoholic beverages per day and smoking 1 pack of cigarettes per day. His temperature is 99.4°F (37.4°C), blood pressure is 157/98 mmHg, pulse is 99/min, respirations are 18/min, and oxygen saturation is 100% on room air. Physical exam demonstrates mild pallor but is otherwise not remarkable. Laboratory studies are ordered as seen below. Hemoglobin: 9 g/dL Hematocrit: 33% Leukocyte count: 6,500/mm^3 with normal differential Platelet count: 190,000/mm^3 Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): 60 femtoliters Free iron: 272 mcg/dL Total iron binding capacity (TIBC): 175 mcg/dL Ferritin: 526 ng/mL Reticulocyte count: 2.8% Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
AFolate deficiency
BBeta-thalassemia
CIron deficiency
DB12 deficiency
EHemolytic anemia
A 2-year-old boy is brought to the physician for generalized fatigue and multiple episodes of abdominal pain and vomiting for the past week. His last bowel movement was 4 days ago. He has been having behavioral problems at home for the past few weeks as well. He can walk up stairs with support and build a tower of 3 blocks. He cannot use a fork. He does not follow simple instructions and speaks in single words. His family emigrated from Bangladesh 6 months ago. He is at the 40th percentile for height and weight. His temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), pulse is 115/min, and blood pressure is 84/45 mm Hg. Examination shows pale conjunctivae and gingival hyperpigmentation. His hemoglobin concentration is 10.1 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume is 68 μm3, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin is 24.5 pg/cell. The patient is most likely going to benefit from administration of which of the following?
AVitamin B12 and folate
BPenicillamine
CIron
DThiosulfate and hydroxocobalamin
ESuccimer and calcium disodium edetate
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