Haematology: Diamond-Blackfan anaemia: 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: Diamond-Blackfan anaemia

Sample item

A 3-month-old has severe macrocytic anaemia with reticulocytopenia and isolated absence of red cell precursors in the marrow with normal white cells and platelets. What is the first-line treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Corticosteroids

Diamond-Blackfan anaemia is a congenital pure red cell aplasia with ribosomal protein gene mutations, elevated erythrocyte adenosine deaminase and congenital anomalies such as thumb abnormalities. About 60 to 70 percent respond to prednisolone. Others need regular transfusion or stem cell transplant.

Option by option

  • A. Vitamin B12

    B12 deficiency is not the cause.

  • B. Splenectomy

    Splenectomy does not treat red cell aplasia.

  • C. Oral iron

    Iron deficiency is not the cause.

  • D. Corticosteroids (correct)

    Correct. Steroids are first-line therapy.

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, Corticosteroids. Diamond-Blackfan anaemia is a congenital pure red cell aplasia with ribosomal protein gene mutations, elevated erythrocyte adenosine deaminase and congenital anomalies such as thumb abnormalities.

Why is "Vitamin B12" not the answer?

B12 deficiency is not the cause.

Why is "Splenectomy" not the answer?

Splenectomy does not treat red cell aplasia.

Why is "Oral iron" not the answer?

Iron deficiency is not the cause.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haematology: Diamond-Blackfan anaemia in Pediatrics. About 60 to 70 percent respond to prednisolone. Others need regular transfusion or stem cell transplant.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: Diamond-Blackfan anaemia?

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.