Nutrition: iron deficiency: 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.

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Pediatrics · Nutrition: iron deficiency

Sample item

Which laboratory profile is most typical of iron-deficiency anemia in a child?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Low ferritin with high total iron-binding capacity

Iron deficiency lowers body iron stores and ferritin while increasing total iron-binding capacity. Inflammation can elevate ferritin, so the clinical context matters.

Option by option

  • A. High MCV with high B12 level

    High MCV suggests macrocytosis rather than iron deficiency.

  • B. High ferritin with low total iron-binding capacity

    High ferritin with low TIBC favors anemia of inflammation.

  • C. Reticulocytosis with high bilirubin

    Reticulocytosis and bilirubin elevation suggest hemolysis.

  • D. Low ferritin with high total iron-binding capacity (correct)

    Correct. Low ferritin and high TIBC are classic iron-deficiency findings.

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 Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, Low ferritin with high total iron-binding capacity. Iron deficiency lowers body iron stores and ferritin while increasing total iron-binding capacity.

Why is "High MCV with high B12 level" not the answer?

High MCV suggests macrocytosis rather than iron deficiency.

Why is "High ferritin with low total iron-binding capacity" not the answer?

High ferritin with low TIBC favors anemia of inflammation.

Why is "Reticulocytosis with high bilirubin" not the answer?

Reticulocytosis and bilirubin elevation suggest hemolysis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: iron deficiency in Pediatrics. Inflammation can elevate ferritin, so the clinical context matters.

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 Nutrition: iron deficiency?

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.