Anemia of renal disease

Definition:
In chronic kidney failure, hypoproliferative anemia  occurs regularly (reticulocyte count relatively or absolutely decreased). Renal anemia is normochromic and normocytic. It can be severe with hemoglobin concentrations below 60 g/L . The cause of this anemia is multifactorial, however, the major cause is decreased erythropoietin production by the damaged kidney. Additionally, erythrocyte life span is reduced.

Clinical picture:
Today, anemia of renal disease is almost exclusively observed in the diagnosis of chronic kidney failure. Anemia of renal disease can be eliminated to a large extent by administering recombinant erythropoietin. Especially in patients undergoing dialysis, iron deficiency is often also present. Therefore, iron must also been given.

Hematology:

Anemia of renal disease is a normochromic, normocytic anemia. The only special morphological feature is the frequent occurrence of acanthocytes. The reticulocyte count is diminished. Serum erythropoietin can be measured and is clearly reduced.