The response of the normochromic normocytic anaemia of chronic renal failure to Desferrioxamine

Summary  Five patients with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis with the normochromic normocytic anaemia of chronic renal failure, were treated with Desferrioxamine 40 mgs/Kg/week, over a period of three months for aluminium osteodystrophy. The mean haemoglobin rise was 2.5±0.3 grams% (P< 0.05). The haematocrit rose by 9±2.5% (P< 0.05). The mean ±s.e.m. M.C.V. rise was 5±0.85 Fl (P< 0.001) and the mean ±s.e.m. M.C.H. rise was 2.5±0.28 (P< 0.001). The red blood cell and M.C.H.C. did not show a significant rise. Serum Ferritin levels were raised with a mean of 1500±350 and fell by 500±150 (P< 0.001). The transfusion requirement of the five patients (previously 10 units per month) fell to 2 units per month over the same period. The renal indices did not show a significant change.