Haematology: G6PD 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 · Haematology: G6PD deficiency

Sample item

A 3-year-old develops dark urine and jaundice 2 days after eating fava beans. Which smear finding is characteristic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Heinz bodies and bite cells

G6PD deficiency is an X-linked defect that leaves red cells vulnerable to oxidant stress from fava beans, infections and drugs such as primaquine and sulfonamides. Denatured haemoglobin forms Heinz bodies, and spleen removes them as bite cells. Management is avoiding triggers and transfusion in severe haemolysis.

Option by option

  • A. Heinz bodies and bite cells (correct)

    Correct. Heinz bodies and bite cells are seen.

  • B. Sickle cells

    Sickle cells are seen in sickle disease.

  • C. Spherocytes with positive osmotic fragility

    Spherocytes with fragility indicate hereditary spherocytosis.

  • D. Target cells

    Target cells are seen in thalassaemia.

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 A, Heinz bodies and bite cells. G6PD deficiency is an X-linked defect that leaves red cells vulnerable to oxidant stress from fava beans, infections and drugs such as primaquine and sulfonamides.

Why is "Sickle cells" not the answer?

Sickle cells are seen in sickle disease.

Why is "Spherocytes with positive osmotic fragility" not the answer?

Spherocytes with fragility indicate hereditary spherocytosis.

Why is "Target cells" not the answer?

Target cells are seen in thalassaemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology: G6PD deficiency in Pediatrics. Denatured haemoglobin forms Heinz bodies, and spleen removes them as bite cells. Management is avoiding triggers and transfusion in severe haemolysis.

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: G6PD 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.