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Aplastic anemia

Hypoplastic anemia; Bone marrow failure - aplastic anemia

 

Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow does not make enough blood cells. Bone marrow is the soft, tissue in the center of bones that is responsible for producing blood cells and platelets.

Causes

 

Aplastic anemia results from damage to the blood stem cells. Stem cells are immature cells in the bone marrow that give rise to all blood cell types (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets). Injury to the stem cells leads to a decrease in the number of these blood cell types.

Aplastic anemia can be caused by:

  • Use of certain drugs or exposure to toxic chemicals (such as benzene)
  • Exposure to radiation or chemotherapy
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Pregnancy
  • Viruses

Sometimes, the cause is unknown. In this case, the disorder is called idiopathic aplastic anemia.

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms are due to the underproduction of red cells, white cells, and platelets. Symptoms may be severe from the start or gradually worsen over time as the disease progresses.

Low red cell count (anemia) can cause:

  • Fatigue
  • Pallor (paleness)
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Shortness of breath with exercise
  • Weakness
  • Lightheadedness upon standing

Low white cell count (leukopenia) causes an increased risk for infection.

Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) can result in bleeding. Symptoms include:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Easy bruising
  • Frequent or severe infections
  • Nose bleeds
  • Rash, small pinpoint red marks on the skin (petechiae)

 

Exams and Tests

 

Blood tests will show:

  • Low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • Low white blood cell count (leukopenia)
  • Low reticulocyte count (reticulocytes are immature red blood cell)
  • Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)

A bone marrow biopsy shows fewer-than-normal blood cells and an increased amount of fat.

 

Treatment

 

Mild cases of aplastic anemia that do not have symptoms may not require treatment.

As blood cell counts become lower and symptoms develop, blood and platelets are given through transfusions. Over time, transfusions may stop working, resulting in very low blood cell counts. This is a life-threatening condition.

Bone marrow , or stem cell transplant may be recommended for people under age 40. This treatment works best when the donor is a fully-matched brother or sister. This is called a matched sibling donor.

Older people and those who do not have a matched sibling donor are given medicine to suppress the immune system. These medicines may allow the bone marrow to once again make healthy blood cells. But the disease may return (relapse). A bone marrow transplant with an unrelated donor may be tried if these medicines do not help or if the disease comes back after getting better.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Untreated, severe aplastic anemia leads to rapid death. Bone marrow transplant can be very successful in young people. Transplant is also used in older people or when the disease comes back after medicines have stopped working.

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications may include:

  • Severe infections or bleeding
  • Complications of bone marrow transplant
  • Reactions to medicines
  • Hemochromatosis (buildup of too much iron in the body tissues from many red cell transfusions)

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if bleeding occurs for no reason, or if bleeding is hard to stop. Call if you notice frequent infections or unusual fatigue.

 

 

Open References

References

Bagby GC. Aplastic anemia and related bone marrow failure states. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 165.

Young NS, Maciejewski JP. Aplastic anemia. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, Weitz JI, Anastasi J, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 28.

 
  • Bone marrow aspiration

    Bone marrow aspiration - illustration

    A small amount of bone marrow is removed during a bone marrow aspiration. The procedure is uncomfortable, but can be tolerated by both children and adults. The marrow can be studied to determine the cause of anemia, the presence of leukemia or other malignancy, or the presence of some storage diseases, in which abnormal metabolic products are stored in certain bone marrow cells.

    Bone marrow aspiration

    illustration

  • Antibodies

    Antibodies - illustration

    Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens.

    Antibodies

    illustration

    • Bone marrow aspiration

      Bone marrow aspiration - illustration

      A small amount of bone marrow is removed during a bone marrow aspiration. The procedure is uncomfortable, but can be tolerated by both children and adults. The marrow can be studied to determine the cause of anemia, the presence of leukemia or other malignancy, or the presence of some storage diseases, in which abnormal metabolic products are stored in certain bone marrow cells.

      Bone marrow aspiration

      illustration

    • Antibodies

      Antibodies - illustration

      Antigens are large molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and some non-living substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles. The immune system recognizes antigens and produces antibodies that destroy substances containing antigens.

      Antibodies

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Self Care

       

        Tests for Aplastic anemia

         
         

        Review Date: 2/1/2016

        Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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