Question

A software engineer presented to OPD with complaints of easy fatiguability, He gives a history of sitting in front of the computer for 12-14 hrs a day and consuming junk food and less fruits and vegetables. CBC picture showed Hb concentration as 7gm%, MCV-120. What is the most likely cause of anemia?

• A. Folate deficiency
• B. Sideroblastic anemia
• C. Cyanocobalamin deficiency
• D. Acute blood loss

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The question presents a case of anemia characterized by a low hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of 7gm% and a high mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 120. Given the patient's lifestyle of sitting in front of a computer for extended hours, consuming junk food, and having a low intake of fruits and vegetables, we need to determine the most likely cause of the anemia.

Anemia with high MCV is referred to as macrocytic anemia. Two common causes of macrocytic anemia are folate deficiency and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency. In this particular scenario, the patient's diet is poor in fresh fruits and vegetables, which are primary sources of folate. This dietary pattern aligns with the possibility of folate deficiency, as folate is a vitamin obtained from food sources. Without sufficient folate, the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells, leading to macrocytic anemia.

Potential Causes	Relevant Information
Folate deficiency	Poor diet in fruits and vegetables
Cyanocobalamin deficiency	Generally linked to malabsorption, not diet alone
Sideroblastic anemia	Not typically associated with high MCV
Acute blood loss	Would lead to normocytic anemia, not macrocytic

Considering the lifestyle and dietary habits described, along with the presentation of macrocytic anemia, folate deficiency is the most likely cause of this patient's condition. Thus, the correct answer is Folate deficiency.