Aplastic Anemia is a rare and often life-threatening disease characterized by the idiopathic failure of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. A dramatic decrease in the production of these cells causes patients with Aplastic Anemia to be very susceptible to bleeding, fatigue, and infections.
Aplastic Anemia affects two to six people per million worldwide. The disease is more prevalent in Asia than in the Western world. Most cases occur in senior citizens, but a significant number of children are affected.
The preferred treatment is a bone marrow transplant from a matching sibling donor. If unavailable, medical management with a combination of immunosuppressive drugs is the second option, followed by a bone marrow transplant from a non-related donor if necessary.
While studies vary and the rarity of the disease does not lend itself to a great deal of solid statistical data, it is generally agreed that overall survival rates are approximately 70%.
Prior to a bone marrow transplant or during medical management, frequent transfusions of red cells and platelets are required to keep a patient alive and intravenous and/or oral antibiotics are also often administered to fight or prevent infection.
The cause of the disease is usually unknown, although the disease has been linked to environmental toxins such as benzene derivatives, pesticides and chemicals. In many individuals aplastic anemia is believed to be caused by a reaction to a virus or even medication. It is not contagious or hereditary.