Question

a patient presents with a normocytic normochromic anemia with the presents of spherocytes and biconcave erythrocytes. the reticulocyte count is very high in this patient, and they have hepatosplenomegaly and jaundice. splenectomy was performed and this did help some of the anemia problem. what is the diagnosis?
a. alpha thalassemia
b. iron deficiency anemia
c. pernicious anemia
d. hereditary spherocytosis

Explanation:

• Option A: Alpha thalassemia is a hemoglobinopathy with abnormal hemoglobin production, not characterized by spherocytes or improvement with splenectomy.
• Option B: Iron deficiency anemia is microcytic hypochromic, not normocytic normochromic with spherocytes, and splenectomy is not a treatment for it.
• Option C: Pernicious anemia is megaloblastic (macrocytic) due to B12 deficiency, with no spherocytes and splenectomy is not used.
• Option D: Hereditary spherocytosis involves spherocytes, normocytic normochromic anemia, high reticulocytes (due to hemolysis), hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, and splenectomy improves anemia as the spleen destroys spherocytes.

Answer:

D. Hereditary spherocytosis