Infections: parvovirus B19: 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 · Infections: parvovirus B19

Sample item

A child with sickle cell disease develops sudden pallor with Hb 3 g/dl and a very low reticulocyte count after a febrile illness with slapped cheek rash in a sibling. What is the cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Transient aplastic crisis from parvovirus B19

Parvovirus B19 infects erythroid precursors and halts red cell production for about a week. In chronic haemolysis it produces profound anaemia with reticulocytopenia. Sequestration crisis presents with a big spleen and reticulocytosis.

Option by option

  • A. Iron deficiency

    Iron deficiency does not appear suddenly.

  • B. Splenic sequestration

    Sequestration shows an enlarged spleen with high reticulocytes.

  • C. Transient aplastic crisis from parvovirus B19 (correct)

    Correct. Parvovirus causes aplastic crisis in haemolytic anaemias.

  • D. Hyperhaemolytic crisis

    Haemolytic crises show reticulocytosis.

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 C, Transient aplastic crisis from parvovirus B19. Parvovirus B19 infects erythroid precursors and halts red cell production for about a week.

Why is "Iron deficiency" not the answer?

Iron deficiency does not appear suddenly.

Why is "Splenic sequestration" not the answer?

Sequestration shows an enlarged spleen with high reticulocytes.

Why is "Hyperhaemolytic crisis" not the answer?

Haemolytic crises show reticulocytosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: parvovirus B19 in Pediatrics. In chronic haemolysis it produces profound anaemia with reticulocytopenia. Sequestration crisis presents with a big spleen and reticulocytosis.

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 Infections: parvovirus B19?

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.