Paediatrics – MCQ 43 – Response indicator in treatment of iron deficiency

The earliest indicator of response after starting iron in a 6-year-old girl with iron deficiency is:
A. Increased reticulocyte count
B. Increased hemoglobin
C. Increased ferritin
D. Increased serum iron

Correct answer : A. Increased reticulocyte count

Sequence of changes during correction of iron deficiency:

• Clinical improvement in the child (increase in appetite, improvement in irritability)
• Inital bone marrow response
• Increased reticulocyte count
• Haemoglobin levels return to normal
• Body iron stores return to normal (ferritin levels)