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Key Points
- Aplastic anemia is a rare and serious blood
disorder that happens when bone marrow stops making enough new blood
cells.
- Blood contains three types of cells: red blood
cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- The hemoglobin in red blood cells carries
oxygen through your bloodstream to your bodys tissues and organs and
removes carbon dioxide (a waste product).
- White blood cells fight infection.
- Platelets help the blood to clot.
- In aplastic anemia, the numbers of all three
blood cell types are too low.
- The two main types of aplastic anemia are
acquired and hereditary. Acquired aplastic anemia can be caused by exposure to
toxic chemicals, radiation, certain medicines, or viruses. Hereditary aplastic
anemia occurs with certain inherited conditions, such as Fanconi anemia.
- Common signs and symptoms of aplastic anemia are:
- Low energy, tiredness, and weakness
- Bleeding that is hard to control
- Frequent fever or infections that linger
- Aplastic anemia is diagnosed using medical and
family history, a physical exam, and a number of tests and procedures.
- A complete blood count measures the number of
all types of blood cells.
- Bone marrow tests give important information
about the number and quality of bone marrow cells.
- Other tests may include studies of the
abdomen, chest, and liver.
- Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood
transfusions, bone marrow transplant, and medicines.
- Blood transfusions help with the immediate
problems of bone marrow failure but are not a permanent treatment.
- Bone marrow transplant can cure aplastic
anemia in some people.
- A number of medicines are used to treat
aplastic anemia. They can suppress the immune system, stimulate the bone
marrow, and treat infections.
- With appropriate treatment, many people with
aplastic anemia can be treated successfully and can live normal lives. Some
people with aplastic anemia can be cured with a bone marrow transplant.
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