Post-Transplant Anemia

Despite brisk production of erythropoietin from a functioning renal allograft, anemia in the post-transplant setting is common and has a myriad of causes, including blood loss, nutrient deficiency, and bone marrow suppression resulting from transplant medications or opportunistic infections. In addition, some transplant medications are associated with different morphologic types of anemia, including microcytic, macrocytic, or sideroblastic anemia. Anemia in the post-transplant period is significant since it can be associated with poor patient and graft survival. Any slow decline in hemoglobin concentration warrants a complete work up. Lacking randomized controlled trials, optimal target hemoglobin for anemia correction following renal allograft remains unclear.