Complications:

Most cases of anemia are mild, including those that occur as a result of chronic disease. Nevertheless, even mild anemia can reduce oxygen transport in the blood, causing fatigue and a diminished physical capacity. Moderate-to-severe iron-deficiency anemia is known to reduce endurance. Some studies indicate that even iron deficiency without anemia can produce a subtle but still lower capacity for exercise.

Because a reduction in red blood cells decreases the ability to absorb oxygen from the lungs, serious problems can occur in prolonged and severe anemia that is not treated. Anemia can lead to secondary organ dysfunction or damage, including heart arrhythmia and heart failure.

Certain inherited forms of anemia, including thalassemia major, pernicious anemia, and sickle-cell anemia, can be life threatening. Thalassemia major and sickle-cell anemia affect children and are particularly devastating.

Effects of Anemia in Pregnant Women

Pregnant women with significant anemia may have an increased risk for poor pregnancy outcomes, particularly if they are anemic in the first trimester.

Complications from Anemia in Children and Adolescents

In children, severe anemia can impair growth and motor and mental development. Children may exhibit a shortened attention span and decreased alertness. Children with severe iron-deficiency anemia may also have an increased risk for stroke.

Effects of Anemia in the Elderly

Anemia is common in older people and can have significantly more severe complications than anemia in younger adults. Some studies have reported higher mortality rates in anemic individuals 85 and older compared to their non-anemic peers. (The rates were higher in anemic men than in women.) The following are examples of its effects from different studies:

• Anemia may have adverse effects on the heart and increase the severity of cardiac conditions, including reducing survival rates from heart failure and heart attacks.
• Elderly people with lower levels of hemoglobin are at an increased risk of death.
• Anemia may be associated with an increased incidence of falls.
• Even mild anemia may possibly lead to cognitive impairment. A 2006 study of elderly women found that mild anemia worsened problem-solving abilities and other cognitive functions. Anemia may worsen an already existing dementia.

Effects of Vitamin B12 Deficiencies and Pernicious Anemia

In addition to anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neurologic damage, which can be irreversible if it continues for long periods without treatment.

Anemia in Patients with Cancer

Anemia is particularly serious in cancer patients. In people with many common cancers, the presence of anemia is associated with a shorter survival time.

Anemia in Patients with Kidney Disease

Anemia is associated with higher mortality rates and possibly heart disease in patients with kidney disease.

Anemia in Patients with Heart Failure

The combination of anemia and heart failure can increase the risk of hospitalization or death by 30 - 60%. Patients with heart failure whose hemoglobin levels decline do worse than patients with stable levels.

Effects of Excess Iron

Blood transfusions. Patients with certain types of anemia require frequent blood transfusions. These transfusions can cause iron overload. Patients are treated with iron chelation therapy, which uses a drug that binds to iron. Excess iron is then eliminated by the kidneys. The standard drug for iron chelation therapy, deferoxamine (Desferal), is injected intravenously through an infusion pump. The treatment can be difficult for many patients. In 2005, the FDA approved a new drug, deferasirox (Exjade), to treat iron overload due to blood transfusions. Patients dilute the pills in liquid once a day and drink the mixture.