Aplastic Anaemia
Overview
Aplastic anaemia is a blood disorder in which the body’s bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. This may result in a number of health problems including arrhythmias, an enlarged heart, heart failure, infections and bleeding.
Aplastic anaemia is a rare but serious condition. It can develop suddenly or slowly and tends to worsen with time, unless the cause is found and treated.
Causes
Damage to the bone marrow’s stem cells causes aplastic anaemia. In more than half of people who have aplastic anaemia, the cause of the disorder is unknown.
A number of acquired diseases, conditions, and factors can cause aplastic anaemia including
- Toxins, such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene
- Radiation and chemotherapy
- Medicines such as chloramphenicol
- Infectious diseases such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19, and HIV
- Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
Inherited conditions, such as Fanconi anaemia, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, dyskeratosis congenital and Diamond-Blackfan anaemia may also cause aplastic anaemia.
Signs and symptoms
The most common symptoms of aplastic anaemia are
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Coldness in your hands or feet
- Pale skin, gums and nail beds
- Chest pains
Treatment
Treatment for aplastic anaemia includes blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and medication. These treatments can prevent or limit complications, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.
In some cases, a cure may be possible. Blood and marrow stem cell transplants may cure the disorder. Removing a known cause of aplastic anaemia, such as exposure to a toxin, may also cure the condition.
Risk
People of all ages can get aplastic anaemia. However, it is most common in adolescents, young adults and the elderly. Men and women are equally likely to have it.
A person’s risk for aplastic anaemia is higher if you have
- Been exposed to toxins
- Taken certain medicines or had radiation or chemotherapy treatment
- Certain infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, or inherited conditions