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Ency. home > Disease > I > Idiopathic aplastic anemia

Idiopathic aplastic anemia    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Anemia - idiopathic aplastic

Definition:

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

Causes and Risks

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. Anemia (low red blood cell count) leads to fatigue and weakness. Low white blood cell count, or leukopenia, causes an increased risk of infection. Low platelet count, or 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.

Ency. home > Disease > I > Idiopathic aplastic anemia

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