Causes & Risk Factors of Aplastic Anemia

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Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow of an individual’s body stops producing enough new blood cells to properly manage the body. This loss of blood cell production affects all three types of blood cells; red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A reduction in the red blood cells will cause severe anemia, while a reduction of the white blood cells leaves the individual vulnerable to infections. A reduction in the amount of platelets in the blood inhibits the body’s ability to heal properly; making minor wounds and bruises a severe complication as an individual could easily bleed to death. A reduction in the production of all three types of blood cells is a signature characteristic of aplastic anemia.

Aplastic anemia is considered a rare condition and can develop at any age. In aplastic anemia, the bone marrow of an individual becomes damaged, limiting its ability to produce more healthy blood cells. The bone marrow needs to continually produce blood cells for the body to work properly and to replace older blood cells that have died. There are a number of factors that have the ability to damage the bone marrow enough to cause the development of aplastic anemia. These agents may cause temporary or permanent damage to the bone marrow and increase an individual’s risk of developing aplastic anemia.

One of the most common agents implicated in the development of aplastic anemia is previous exposure to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These therapies have the ability to corrupt the DNA of the bone marrow, causing the bone marrow to cease functioning properly. Cases of aplastic anemia that have developed due to exposure to radiation or chemotherapy are notoriously difficult to treat because exposure to either of the agents during treatment for the disorder may reawaken the condition. These treatments can also affect the health of the patient, making subsequent treatments more difficult to administer without harming the patient further.

Another agent suspected of aiding the development of aplastic anemia is exposure to certain chemicals and medications. Long term exposure to high levels of industrial chemicals, such as benzene, have been linked to the development of a number of serious ailments, including aplastic anemia. Benzene can be found in pesticides, herbicides, lacquers, adhesives, and is sometimes used as an industrial solvent. Some antibiotics and medications used to control arthritis have also been linked to the development of aplastic anemia.

Some autoimmune diseases have been found to contribute to the development of aplastic anemia as the immune system begins to attack healthy cells in the bone marrow. Viral infections can also affect the bone marrow leading to the development of the condition. In nearly half of all cases of aplastic anemia diagnosed, there are no known risk factors that have contributed to the development of the disorder. There is currently no effective or reliable cure for aplastic anemia, but with proper medical treatment, the condition can be managed for years.

Aplastic Anemia

• Aplastic Anemia (Overview)
• Signs & Symptoms
• Causes & Risk Factors
• Treatments

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