D64: Other anaemias

D64.4: Congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Red blood cells contain the red hemoglobin that gives blood its color. This pigment is important for carrying oxygen in the blood.

Either your haemoglobin or your red blood cells are not being formed correctly. This condition is congenital, which means you were born with it.

Your red blood cells are not working properly. The body may also break them down too early. This gives the liver and spleen too much to do. As a result, you can have a spleen or liver that is too big. The breakdown products of the red blood cells can be deposited in the skin. This can make the skin look yellow.