Anemia Diagnosis

Anemia may be suspected on a complete medical history and physical examination of your child, such as complaints of tiring easily, pale skin and lips, shortness of breath, or a fast heartbeat (tachycardia). Anemia is usually discovered during a medical examination through blood tests that measure the concentration of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells.

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for anemia may include:

• Additional blood tests 
• Bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy: A procedure that involves taking a small amount of bone marrow fluid (aspiration) and/or solid bone marrow tissue (called a core biopsy), usually from the hip bones, to be examined for the number, size, and maturity of blood cells and/or abnormal cells.