Anemia - Complications

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Chronic or Critical Illnesses

Anyone with a chronic disease that causes inflammation or bleeding is at risk for anemia. Critical illness in the intensive care unit is also highly associated with anemia.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is associated with fluid retention, which in turn may produce high volumes of plasma (the fluid component of blood). This process can dilute red blood cells, which may lead to lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. These changes by themselves can be considered a normal alteration of pregnancy. However, other factors increase the risk for anemia during pregnancy:

• Pregnancy increases the body's demand for folic acid, which poses a risk for folate deficiency and, therefore, megaloblastic anemia.
• Pregnancy increases the body's demand for iron, thus posing a risk for iron deficiency anemia. Pregnant women need 27 mg of iron per day.
• During delivery, heavy bleeding or multiple births can cause postpartum anemia. Postpartum anemia can last 6 - 12 months after giving birth.

Review Date: 01/13/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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