Which condition should be treated with iron (ferrous sulfate) if the child presents with low hemoglobin, low MCV, and low reticulocyte count?

The condition that should be treated with iron (ferrous sulfate) when a child presents with low hemoglobin, low mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and low reticulocyte count is iron deficiency anemia. This type of anemia is characterized by a deficiency of iron, leading to insufficient hemoglobin synthesis.

In iron deficiency anemia, the low hemoglobin levels indicate anemia, the low MCV reflects microcytic red blood cells, and the low reticulocyte count suggests that the bone marrow is not responding adequately to the anemia, which is a common scenario when iron stores are depleted. The treatment with iron supplements aims to replenish iron stores, allowing for proper hemoglobin production and improvement in anemia.

Other conditions listed, such as thalassemia, lead poisoning, and anemia of chronic disease, would be managed differently. Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that typically does not respond to iron supplementation, as it involves a defect in hemoglobin synthesis. Lead poisoning requires chelation therapy rather than iron. Anemia of chronic disease is usually treated by addressing the underlying condition, and iron supplementation is not usually beneficial since the anemia is often due to impaired iron utilization rather than a lack of iron.

Thus, the presentation of low hemoglobin,