A 15-year-old boy presents with tremors, dysarthria, and jaundice. Slit-lamp examination reveals a brownish-green ring at the corneal limbus. Serum levels of which protein are decreased in this condition?
- A Transferrin
- B Ceruloplasmin ✓
- C Ferritin
- D Hepcidin
Correct answer: B. Ceruloplasmin
Explanation
This patient has Wilson disease, caused by ATP7A mutations impairing biliary copper excretion and copper incorporation into ceruloplasmin. Low serum ceruloplasmin with Kayser-Fleischer rings is diagnostic. Transferrin transports iron. Ferritin stores iron. Hepcidin regulates iron absorption. None are directly involved in copper metabolism.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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