A patient with anemia is found to have a peripheral blood smear showing basophilic stippling. What is the most likely underlying cause of this finding?

A Lead poisoning ✓
B Sideroblastic anemia
C Thalassemia major
D Pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase deficiency

Explanation

Basophilic stippling is a characteristic finding on peripheral blood smear in patients with lead poisoning, due to the accumulation of ribonucleic acid (RNA) in red blood cells.

Source

Wintrobe's Clinical Hematology
Hematology Hematology: Anemia Hematology: Anemia Hard MEDICAL Confidence: high