Anatomy of Hematologic System Related

Review Anatomy of Hematologic System related questions and content

You have a new patient consult in clinic this morning. The referral packet includes the newborn screen report, which is flagged abnormal hemoglobinopathy screen, F, A, Bart's, refer to hematology, and a complete blood count done at 4 years of age with a hemoglobin of 10 g/dL and an MCV of 68. The pediatrician has informed the parents the child has some form of alpha thalassemia. The older brother had the same newborn screen results but had a normal complete blood count when checked. The mother wants to know why her second child has an abnormal complete blood count when she and her husband do not have any blood problems. How would you respond to the child's mother?

  • A. The mother and father are both silent carriers and each passed a deleted alpha globin allele to their child. The child inherited a trans-deletion genotype alpha thalassemia trait.
  • B. The mother has cis deletion alpha thalassemia and the father has no alpha globin deletion, giving the child alpha thalassemia trait.
  • C. Neither parent has an alpha globin deletion; this was a new spontaneous mutation causing alpha thalassemia in the child.
  • D. Both parents carry cis deletions in the alpha globin gene cluster.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because both parents are silent carriers, each passing a deleted alpha globin allele to their child, resulting in a trans-deletion genotype alpha thalassemia trait. This explanation aligns with the child's abnormal complete blood count and the family history.

Choice B is incorrect because it states that the mother has cis deletion alpha thalassemia, which is not supported by the information provided.

Choice C is incorrect as it suggests a new spontaneous mutation causing alpha thalassemia in the child, which is not consistent with the genetic inheritance pattern described.

Choice D is incorrect because it claims both parents carry cis deletions in the alpha globin gene cluster, which contradicts the scenario where the parents are silent carriers.