Question 116 · LEK · Iron deficiency anemia

The mother of a 2-year-old boy is concerned with her child’s diet. He doesn’t want to eat vegetables or meat and demands milk desserts or sweet drinks only. His height and weight are at the level of a 50th centile. The boy doesn’t present any signs of infection but he was treated with oral antibiotics twice in his life, for pharyngitis and bronchitis. There are no alarming symptoms. On the complete blood count: leucocytes - 8,400/ mm³, hemoglobin - 9.1 g/dL, MCV - 62 fL, platelets - 330 000/mm³. Fasting glucose - 88 mg%. Indicate the correct decision and its justification:

1. AA. referring the child to a psychologist, as the lab tests are normal.
2. BB. performing oral glucose test because the symptoms may be caused by diabetes.
3. CC. therapy with steroids because the symptoms and lab tests suggest hemolytic anemia.
4. DD. treatment with parenteral iron preparations and vitamins because the symptoms and lab tests suggest iron deficiency anemia.
5. EE. treatment with oral iron preparations and vitamins because the symptoms and lab tests suggest iron deficiency anemia.