[Renal anemia and its modification by chronic hemodialysis]

The renal anaemia is characterized by a decreased new formation of erythrocytes (deficiency of erythropoetin), by haemolysis (uraemic-toxic influences) and by iron deficiency (decreased resorption of iron, blood losses, infectious-toxic component). In long-term haemolysis the iron deficiency increases, in most cases the haemolysis a little decreases, and a deficiency of erythropoietin is not to be established. However, a slight deficiency of folic acid is frequently observed. Apart from the reduction of the retention of substances normally contained in the urine the therapy consists in iron doses and slight doses of folic acid. Only occasionally blood transfusions are necessary.