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

This page is part of a whole section about childhood cancer [1].

• 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.