UKMLA PLAB AMC USMLE Prometric MCQ

Question Number 0794

Question:
A two month old baby develops a life-threatening anemia. Blood tests show a normal serum iron, ferritin and TIBC. Hemoglobin electrophoresis reveals a markedly decreased Hemoglobin A content and an increased hemoglobin F content. This baby's anemia is likely to be secondary to

a) failure of alpha chain production
b) failure of beta chain production
c) a deficiency of B12
d) lead poisoning
e) a deficiency of iron