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Haematology · NEET PG Preparation Medicine

A 24-year-old pregnant female at 12 weeks of gestation is found to have asymptomatic microcytic hypochromic anemia. Her hemoglobin is 10.2 g/dL, mean…

Practice question from Haematology (NEET PG Preparation Medicine), with the correct answer and a step-by-step solution.

easy · MCQ · Q-553E5F

A 24-year-old pregnant female at 12 weeks of gestation is found to have asymptomatic microcytic hypochromic anemia. Her hemoglobin is 10.2 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is 68 fL, and red cell distribution width (RDW) is normal (13%). Serum ferritin is normal (150 ng/mL), and hemoglobin electrophoresis reveals HbA2 of 4.2% and HbF of 1.5%, with the remainder being HbA. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

  1. A.Iron deficiency anemia
  2. B.Beta-thalassemia traitCorrect answer
  3. C.Alpha-thalassemia trait
  4. D.Anemia of chronic disease

Solution

The patient has microcytic anemia with a normal RDW and normal/high serum ferritin, which rules out iron deficiency anemia. An elevated HbA2 level (> 3.5%) is the hallmark diagnostic finding for beta-thalassemia trait. In alpha-thalassemia trait, HbA2 is typically normal or low. Beta-thalassemia minor is asymptomatic and often detected incidentally on routine prenatal screening.

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