Children seem to have a remarkable ability to fuction welldespite low levels of Hgb.
Cyanosis ( the result of the quantity of deoxygenated Hgb in atterial blood ) is typically not evident.
Growth retardation ,
resulting from decreased cellular metabolism and coexisting anorexia,
is a common finding in chronic severe anemia and is frequently accompanied by delayed sexual maturation in the older child.