What is aplastic anemia?
Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow produces too few of all three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A reduced number of red blood cells causes hemoglobin to drop. A reduced number of white blood cells makes the patient susceptible to infection. And, a reduced number of platelets causes the blood not to clot as easily. What causes aplastic anemia? Aplastic anemia has multiple causes. Some of these causes are idiopathic, meaning they occur sporadically for no known reason. Other causes are secondary, resulting from a previous illness or disorder. Acquired causes, however, may include the following: • history of specific infectious diseases such as infectious hepatitis • history of taking certain medications, such as antibiotics and anticonvulsants • exposure to certain toxins such as heavy metals • exposure to radiation • history of an autoimmune disease • inherited condition What are the symptoms of aplastic anemia? The following are the mo
