Aplastic anemia is a type of bone marrow and therefore a blood disorder, characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells, leukocytes and circulating platelets, characterizing pancytopnia. This situation may be present from birth or acquired over time, and may be due to the use of certain medicines or frequent contact with chemicals, for example.
Because the bone marrow is unable to produce functional blood cells and in sufficient amounts, signs and symptoms of this type of anemia begin to appear, such as paleness, excessive fatigue, frequent infections, and the appearance of purple spots on the skin. unexplained cause.
- Symptoms and signs of aplastic anemia occur due to decreased the number of circulating blood cells.
- With the main symptoms being:.
In addition, in some cases, there may also be changes in the kidneys and urinary tract, these being these most common changes in the case of Fanconi anemia, which is a type of congenital aplastic anemia. Learn more about Fanconi anemia.
Diagnosis of aplastic anemia is based on laboratory testing, mainly blood formula, which indicates lower-than-recommended amounts of red blood cells, leukocytes, and platelets.
To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor usually requests the myelogram, which aims to evaluate how cell production is performed by your bone marrow, as well as perform a bone marrow biopsy. Understand what bone marrow biopsy is for and how it’s done.
In some cases, such as when aplastic anemia is found to be congenital, your doctor may order imaging tests to evaluate your urinary tract and kidneys, as well as lab tests that evaluate this system, such as urea and creatinine, for example. .
Modification of the bone marrow that leads to aplastic anemia may be congenital or acquired. In congenital aplastic anemia, the child is born with this alteration, developing symptoms in the first years of life.
On the other hand, acquired aplastic anemia develops over time and may be related to the use of drugs, as a result of autoimmune diseases or viral infections, or by frequent exposure to certain toxic substances, the main being bismuth. , pesticides, insecticides, chloramphenicol, gold salts and petroleum derivatives.
Treatment of aplastic anemia aims to relieve symptoms and stimulate the bone marrow to produce enough blood cells capable of performing its functions.
Therefore, blood transfusions may be recommended, because because red blood cells and platelets are mainly transfused, it is possible to alleviate symptoms, as there will be more oxygen transported by the cells. In addition, the use of antibiotics in the vein helps strengthen the immune system, helping to fight infections.
The use of drugs that help stimulate bone marrow activity and immunosuppressive drugs, such as methylprednisolone, cyclosporine and prednisone, may also be indicated.
Despite these treatments, the only one that is effective in curing aplastic anemia is bone marrow transplantation, in which the person acquires a bone marrow that works perfectly, favoring the formation of blood cells in ideal amounts. Understand what bone marrow transplantation is and how it works.