Most cases of anemia in chronic disease are mild cases. Mild cases are not associated with any particular set of symptoms, but in most cases, they are characterized by pale skin, fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating. There are many potential causes of anemia in chronic disease and not all mechanisms are fully understood. 

During pregnancy, anemia can lead to the inability to properly deliver oxygen to your tissues and your baby. Mild anemia in pregnancy is normal and can occur simply due to the increase in blood in the body. If more severe anemia in pregnancy develops, this can lead to a prolonged and more severe type of anemia later in pregnancy.

Anemia symptoms can be evident when the body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells, or when red blood cells cannot efficiently deliver oxygen throughout the body. There are numerous potential causes of anemia, such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, anemia of chronic disease, aplastic anemia, anemia associated with a bone marrow disease, hemolytic disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, and others.