Therapeutic management of a 6-year-old child with hereditary spherocytosis (HS)should include which therapeutic intervention?
A) Perform a splenectomy.
B) Supplement the diet with calcium.
C) Institute a maintenance transfusion program.
D) Increase intake of iron-rich foods such as meat.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Splenectomy corrects the hemolysis that occurs in HS.The splenectomy is generally reserved for children older than age 5 years with symptomatic anemia.Supplementation with calcium does not affect the HS.Additional folic acid can prevent deficiency caused by the rapid cell turnover.A maintenance transfusion program suppresses red blood cell formation.At this time,the risks of transfusion are greater than those of a splenectomy.Iron supplementation does not influence the course of HS.

Therapeutic Management of a 6-Year-Old Child with Hereditary Spherocytosis (HS)should