Assuming that adherence has been excellent, which of the following should have returned to normal 6 weeks following appropriate oral iron treatment for a child with severe dietary iron deficiency (hemoglobin [Hgb] 5.0 g/dL and mean corpuscular volume [MCV] 48 fL at the beginning of therapy)?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (A): Hgb concentration reflects the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, which is directly affected by iron levels. After 6 weeks of appropriate oral iron treatment, the child's severe iron deficiency should have improved, leading to an increase in Hgb concentration back to normal levels.
Explanation of Incorrect Choices:
B: MCV measures the size of red blood cells, which is affected by iron deficiency anemia. However, it may take longer than 6 weeks for MCV to return to normal.
C: Red cell distribution width indicates the variation in red blood cell sizes and is not directly related to iron levels. It may not necessarily return to normal within 6 weeks.
D: Peripheral blood smear provides information on the morphology of red blood cells but does not directly reflect iron levels. It may not show significant changes within 6 weeks of iron treatment.