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A 2-month-old infant who is breastfeeding presents with low hemoglobin levels. The infant was born at home, and the mother received no prenatal care; she did not, and does not, take any medications. The family history is unremarkable. On examination, the infant appears healthy.

What is the underlying mechanism of low hemoglobin levels in this infant?

A. Folate deficiency.
B. Vitamin K deficiency.
C. Breastfeeding.
D. Infection.
E. Normal process.

Answer :

Final answer:

The low hemoglobin levels in a healthy 2-month-old breastfeeding infant are likely due to iron deficiency anemia, although physiologic anemia of infancy, which is a normal developmental process, could also be a factor.

Explanation:

The underlying mechanism of low hemoglobin levels in this 2-month-old breastfeeding infant could be multifaceted. Given that the infant appears healthy, and the family and maternal history are unremarkable, the most likely cause might be iron deficiency anemia, a common condition in infants and particularly in those who are exclusively breastfed.

Breast milk can sometimes provide insufficient iron for the growing needs of infants, especially if they had poor iron stores at birth. It is also possible that physiologic anemia of infancy, a normal developmental process where hemoglobin levels naturally drop before stabilizing, is contributing to the low levels.

While potential causes like folate deficiency, vitamin K deficiency, or infection could also lead to anemia, these are less likely without additional clinical signs or a family history of blood disorders. Furthermore, diseases like hemolytic disease of the newborn, typically a concern in cases of Rh factor incompatibility, are unlikely without a prior pregnancy sensitization event. To rule out other causes and properly address the infant's condition, further evaluation, including dietary assessment and possibly laboratory investigations, would be necessary.

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