Haematology: thalassaemia major: practice question

A General Medicine 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.

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General Medicine · Haematology: thalassaemia major

Sample item

A 2-year-old child has severe anaemia, hepatosplenomegaly and frontal bossing. Haemoglobin electrophoresis shows predominantly HbF. What is the cornerstone of management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Regular transfusions with iron chelation

Beta thalassaemia major presents in infancy with transfusion dependence and extramedullary haematopoiesis. Regular transfusions maintain haemoglobin above 9 to 10 g/dL and chelation with deferasirox or deferiprone prevents iron overload. Bone marrow transplantation is curative.

Option by option

  • A. Splenectomy at diagnosis

    Splenectomy is for hypersplenism.

  • B. Regular transfusions with iron chelation (correct)

    Correct. Transfusion with chelation is standard.

  • C. Folic acid alone

    Folic acid alone is inadequate.

  • D. Iron supplementation

    Iron supplements worsen overload.

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.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Regular transfusions with iron chelation. Beta thalassaemia major presents in infancy with transfusion dependence and extramedullary haematopoiesis.

Why is "Splenectomy at diagnosis" not the answer?

Splenectomy is for hypersplenism.

Why is "Folic acid alone" not the answer?

Folic acid alone is inadequate.

Why is "Iron supplementation" not the answer?

Iron supplements worsen overload.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology: thalassaemia major in General Medicine. Regular transfusions maintain haemoglobin above 9 to 10 g/dL and chelation with deferasirox or deferiprone prevents iron overload. Bone marrow transplantation is curative.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: thalassaemia major?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.