Chronic kidney disease commonly causes which hematologic abnormality?

• A. Leukopenia
• B. Anemia
• C. Polycythemia
• D. Neutropenia

Answer: (B)

Chronic kidney disease commonly causes anemia because the kidneys fail to produce enough erythropoietin, the hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. With less erythropoietin, the marrow makes fewer red cells, leading to a low reticulocyte count and a normocytic, normochromic anemia. In chronic illness like CKD, inflammation and impaired iron handling (functional iron deficiency due to high hepcidin) can further worsen anemia, and blood loss during dialysis adds to the red cell deficit.

Other hematologic abnormalities listed are not typical for CKD. Leukopenia or neutropenia aren’t characteristic features of CKD, and polycythemia (an excess of red cells) is not expected in CKD.