Low red blood cell count due to chemotherapy

A low red blood cell count is called anaemia. It causes tiredness, shortness of breath, pale skin and gums, headache and dizziness.

Key points to remember

This page is part of a whole section about childhood cancer.

red blood cells carry oxygen around the body
a low red blood cell count is called anaemia

What do red blood cells do?

Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. Oxygen enters the body through the lungs, attaches to haemoglobin in the red blood cells, and passes to all the organs and tissues of the body.

What is anaemia?

A low red blood cell count is called anaemia.

Signs of anaemia are:

tiredness
shortness of breath
pale skin and gums
headache and
dizziness

What is the treatment for anaemia?

To correct anaemia, your child may need to have a red blood cell transfusion.

Acknowledgements

All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the National Child Cancer Network Clinical Leader.