Description

Aplastic anemia is a rare and serious blood disorder that occurs when the body's bone marrow cannot make enough new red blood cells, impacting the body's ability to function normally. Aplastic anemia can progress at varying speeds and range from mild to severe. Currently, there's no known method to prevent it. This condition is caused by damage to stem cells inside the bone marrow, which is the sponge-like tissue within the bones. The immune system attacks and destroys and, as a result, the bone marrow makes fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This bone marrow damage is caused by the immune system attacking and destroying the stem cells within the bone marrow. Other causes of aplastic anemia include some medicine and exposure to environmental toxins or chemicals.

Prevalence

US Cases: 800 [Vaht 2017]

Typical Age of onset

Between ages 15-25

Symptoms

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath with exertion

• Rapid or irregular heart rate

• Pale skin

• Frequent or prolonged infections

• Unexplained or easy bruising

• Nosebleeds and bleeding gums

• Prolonged bleeding from cuts

• Skin rash

• Dizziness

• Headache

Resources

Link to Clinical Trials

Link to Scientific Publications

References

Mayo Clinic
NIH
National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute
North American Journal of Medical Sciences

Profile by Fabliha Hussain
April 2024 Update by Lauren Young