Anemias USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
An 11-year-old boy with sickle cell disease is brought to the emergency department because of profound fatigue and lightheadedness for 2 days. He had a low-grade fever and a mild facial rash 1 week ago. Examination shows marked pallor but no new pain crisis. Laboratory studies show hemoglobin markedly decreased from baseline and reticulocyte count near zero. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's current condition?
Answer choices
- ATransient suppression of erythroid precursors by parvovirus B19Correct answer
- BAcute sequestration of red cells in the spleen
- CAutoimmune destruction of mature red cells
- DIron deficiency from chronic hemolysis
- EFolate deficiency causing megaloblastic anemia
- FHemoglobin H disease with precipitation of excess alpha-globin chains
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