Which of the following conditions is NOT listed as a chronic disease causing anemia?

• A. Sickle cell disease
• B. Thalassemia major
• C. Asthma
• D. Aplastic anemia

Answer: (C)

Chronic anemia happens when there’s a long-standing problem with red blood cell production or survival. Sickle cell disease is a hemoglobinopathy that causes ongoing hemolysis and shortened red cell lifespan, so it leads to chronic anemia. Thalassemia major involves defective hemoglobin synthesis with ineffective erythropoiesis and ongoing hemolysis, also producing chronic anemia. Aplastic anemia is a bone marrow failure that reduces production of all blood cell lines, including red cells, resulting in persistent anemia. Asthma, however, is a chronic inflammatory airway disease and does not inherently affect red blood cell production or survival, so it does not cause chronic anemia.