Aplastic anemia

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Aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia is a rare condition in which the bone marrow is unable to produce blood cells normally. The production of just some blood cells (such as red blood cells only) may be affected, or the production of all types of blood cells may be decreased.

Symptoms of aplastic anemia include:

Fatigue, weakness, or lack of energy.
Headaches or breathing problems that occur after exercise.
Infections that keep returning or are more severe than usual.
Frequent nosebleeds or bleeding under the skin.

Causes of aplastic anemia can include:

Exposure to poisonous (toxic) chemicals.
Certain medications, such as medications taken to treat cancer.
Radiation treatments that destroy the bone marrow.
Certain viral infections.

Aplastic anemia sometimes develops for no known reason.

In some cases, a person may need blood transfusions until his or her bone marrow is able to produce blood cells. In other cases, a person may need a bone marrow transplant.

Credits

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Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Denele Ivins
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Last Updated	February 27, 2007

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Last updated:	February 27, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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