A 25-year-old woman with a BMI of 16.5 kg/m² presents with fatigue, glossitis, and koilonychia. Her diet is predominantly cereal-based with minimal animal products. Which combination of deficiencies is most likely?

• A Iron and vitamin C
• B Iron and vitamin B12
• C Iron and zinc
• D Iron and folate ✓

Explanation

Koilonychia (spoon nails) and glossitis are classic for iron deficiency. D cereal-based diet low in animal products and green leafy vegetables causes combined iron and folate deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency is less likely without neurological signs. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, not koilonychia.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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