Which of the following Reticulocyte count is an indicator of severe anemia for an infant?
A.
3%
B.
8%
C.
0.5%
D.
5%
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. 0.5%.
Explanation:
The reticulocyte count is a critical laboratory test used to assess bone marrow activity and erythropoiesis (red blood cell production). In infants, a reticulocyte count provides valuable insight into their hematologic status, especially when evaluating anemia. Normal reticulocyte counts for infants typically range from about 1% to 6%. When an infant is experiencing severe anemia, the reticulocyte count helps to indicate how well the bone marrow is responding to the anemia.
In cases of severe anemia, one would expect an elevated reticulocyte count, as the body attempts to compensate for the reduced red blood cell mass by increasing production. A low reticulocyte count, on the other hand, suggests that the bone marrow is not adequately responding to the anemia. Therefore, a reticulocyte count of 0.5% is indicative of inadequate bone marrow response and suggests that the anemia may be severe or chronic.
In this scenario, if an infant presents with a reticulocyte count of 0.5%, it suggests a failure of the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells in response to anemia. This may occur due to various reasons, including aplastic anemia, iron deficiency, or other underlying hematologic disorders. A count above 6% (like 8% or 5%) would indicate a robust bone marrow response to anemia, while a count of 3% is still within the normal range, albeit on the higher side.
In summary, a reticulocyte count of 0.5% indicates a lack of compensatory response from the bone marrow, marking the anemia as severe and requiring further evaluation and intervention.