Also Known As:

What is Aplastic Anaemia?

Aplastic Anaemia is a blood disorder in which the body’s bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells.This condition may result in several health problems including Arrhythmia, an enlarged heart, heart failure, infections and bleeding.

Aplastic Anaemia is a rare but serious condition, and it can develop suddenly or slowly and tends to worsen with time, unless the cause is found and treated.

Causes

A major cause of Aplastic Anaemia is damage to the stem cells in bone marrow. In more than half of people who have Aplastic Anaemia, the cause of the disorder is unable to be determined.

Several acquired diseases, conditions and factors can cause Aplastic Anaemia including:
•   Toxins; such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene
•   Radiation Therapy 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

Aplastic Anaemia can also be caused by various inherited conditions including:
•   Fanconi Anaemia
•   Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome
•   Dyskeratosis Congenital
•   Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of Aplastic Anaemia include:
•   Fatigue
•   Shortness of breath
•   Dizziness
•   Headache
•   Coldness in your hands or feet
•   Pale skin, gums and nail beds
•   Chest pains

Diagnosis & Treatment

Aplastic Anaemia is diagnosed by a Doctor using a physical examination and blood tests.

Treatment for aplastic anaemia includes blood transfusions, bone marrow stem cell transplants and medication. These treatments can prevent or limit complications, relieve symptoms, and improve a persons 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 help to cure the condition.

Additional Information

Also see: Anaemia