Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drug Information Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Idiopathic aplastic anemia

Printer-friendly versionEmail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Bone marrow aspiration
Bone marrow aspiration
Antibodies
Antibodies

Alternative names    Return to top

Anemia - idiopathic aplastic

Definition    Return to top

Idiopathic aplastic anemia is a failure of the bone marrow to properly form all types of blood cells.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

Idiopathic aplastic anemia is a condition that results from injury to the stem cell, a cell that gives rise to other cell types after it divides. Consequently, there is a reduction in all cell types -- red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets -- with this type of anemia, which is called pancytopenia.

The cause of idiopathic aplastic anemia is unknown, but is thought to be an autoimmune process (the body reacting against its own cells). Causes of other types of aplastic anemia may be chemotherapy, radiation therapy, toxins, drugs, pregnancy, congenital disorder, or systemic lupus erythematosus.

Symptoms arise as the consequence of bone marrow failure. Llow red blood cell count (anemia) leads to fatigue and weakness. Low white blood cell count (leukopenia) causes an increased risk of infection. Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) results in bleeding, especially of mucus membranes and skin.

The disease may be acute or chronic, and is almost always progressive. Risk factors are unknown.

Symptoms    Return to top

Signs and tests    Return to top

Treatment    Return to top

Mild cases of aplastic anemia are treated with supportive care. Blood transfusions and platelet transfusions help correct the abnormal blood counts and relieve some symptoms.

Severe aplastic anemia, as evidenced by very low blood cell counts, is a life-threatening condition. Bone marrow transplant is indicated for severe disease in younger patients.

For older patients, or for those who do not have a matched bone marrow donor, antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is the alternative treatment. ATG is a horse serum that contains antibodies against human T cells and is used in an attempt to suppress the body's immune system, allowing the bone marrow to resume its blood cell generating function.

Other medications to suppress the immune system may be used, such as cyclosporine.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Untreated aplastic anemia is an illness that leads to rapid death. Bone marrow transplantation has been successful in young people, with long term survival of 80%. Older people have a survival rate of 40 to 70%.

Complications    Return to top

Severe infections or bleeding may develop.

Complications of treatment may include graft failure or graft vs. host disease, and an autoimmune disease, after bone marrow transplant. Patients can have reactions to ATG.

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

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

Prevention    Return to top

There is no known prevention for idiopathic aplastic anemia.

Update Date: 4/25/2003

Updated by: Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

adam.com logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.