User:Mr. Ibrahem/Aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia is a long term condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce blood cells in sufficient numbers. Most people have low levels of all blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Symptoms can include weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, infections, and bleeding.

The cause is unclear in 65% of cases. Other cases may occur following a viral infections, due to a genetic conditions such as Fanconi anemia, or exposure to chemicals, medications or radiation. The diagnosis may be suspected based on low blood cells together with low reticulocytes and the absence of changes concerning for blood cancer. The diagnosis is confirmed by a bone marrow biopsy finding mostly fat cells instead of blood forming cells.

Treatment may be directed at the underlying cause. The preferred treatment is often a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Otherwise options may include eltrombopag and immunosuppressive medicationss such as ciclosporin, anti-thymocyte globulin, and corticosteroids. Blood transfusions may be required but may make later stem cell transplantation more difficult.

Aplastic anemia affected about 0.6 to 6 people per million per year. Males and females are affected equally frequently. The condition is slightly more common in childhood and people in their early 20s. Outcomes are variable and depend on a persons age and response to treatment. The condition was first described in 1885. The disease was the cause of death of Marie Curie.