Low Red Blood Cell Count Due To Chemotherapy

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.

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Key points to remember about low red blood cell count due to chemotherapy

  • 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?

Anaemia will improve by itself over time. But, to correct anaemia quickly, particularly if your child needs more chemotherapy, they may need to have a red blood cell transfusion.

Read more about side effects of treatment

Read more about childhood cancer

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.

This page last reviewed 10 June 2021.

Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 any time of the day or night for free health advice when you need it