What is bone marrow failure?
• Bone marrow failure happens when your child’s bone marrow does not produce blood cells. Bone marrow is the spongy red tissue inside your child’s bones. It makes red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen to organs and tissues of your child’s body. White blood cells help your child’s body fight infection by attacking and killing germs. Platelets stop the bleeding when your child is cut or injured. • Bone marrow failure may be inherited (something your child is born with) or acquired (something that happened after birth). Inherited bone marrow failure is most commonly seen in young children. Acquired bone marrow is most commonly seen in young adults. Both types may lead to anemia (low RBC count). What causes bone marrow failure? The cause of most cases of bone marrow failure is unknown. Inherited bone marrow failure is caused by a defect in your child’s genes. Genes are little pieces of information that tell the body what to do or what t
