Haematology: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Pediatrics · Haematology

Sample item

A 9-month-old child of Mediterranean descent has progressive pallor since 5 months of age, hepatosplenomegaly and frontal bossing. Haemoglobin is low with microcytic hypochromic cells and many target cells and nucleated red cells. Which test most reliably confirms the diagnosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Haemoglobin electrophoresis or HPLC

The history and smear suggest beta thalassaemia major. Electrophoresis or HPLC shows raised fetal haemoglobin and absent or very low HbA, confirming the diagnosis. Iron studies help exclude iron deficiency but do not establish thalassaemia.

Option by option

  • A. Serum ferritin

    Ferritin is normal or raised here and cannot confirm thalassaemia.

  • B. Bone marrow aspiration

    Bone marrow shows erythroid hyperplasia but is not needed and is not specific.

  • C. Haemoglobin electrophoresis or HPLC (correct)

    Correct. It demonstrates the characteristic haemoglobin pattern.

  • D. Direct Coombs test

    A Coombs test detects autoimmune haemolysis, which does not produce this picture.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Haemoglobin electrophoresis or HPLC. The history and smear suggest beta thalassaemia major.

Why is "Serum ferritin" not the answer?

Ferritin is normal or raised here and cannot confirm thalassaemia.

Why is "Bone marrow aspiration" not the answer?

Bone marrow shows erythroid hyperplasia but is not needed and is not specific.

Why is "Direct Coombs test" not the answer?

A Coombs test detects autoimmune haemolysis, which does not produce this picture.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology in Pediatrics. Electrophoresis or HPLC shows raised fetal haemoglobin and absent or very low HbA, confirming the diagnosis. Iron studies help exclude iron deficiency but do not establish thalassaemia.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Haematology?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.