Aplastic Anemia? What Causes It?

Aplastic anemia is a rare condition that occurs when the bone marrow fails to produce enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets needed for normal body function. This condition can cause weakness, fatigue, and increase the risk of infections and bleeding. Let's delve deeper into aplastic anemia, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Causes of Aplastic Anemia:

Aplastic anemia is often caused by damage to the stem cells in the bone marrow responsible for producing new blood cells. The causes of stem cell damage can vary, including:

- Genetic Factors: Some cases of aplastic anemia have a genetic basis that can be inherited from parents to children.
  
- Autoimmune Reaction: The immune system attacks the stem cells in the bone marrow, disrupting the process of forming new blood cells.
  
- Exposure to Toxic Substances: Exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides or industrial chemicals, can damage stem cells.
  
- Viral Infections: Certain viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus or hepatitis virus, can cause aplastic anemia in some individuals.
 

Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia:

Symptoms of aplastic anemia can vary depending on its severity. Some common symptoms include:

- Excessive Weakness and Fatigue: Feeling tired even after adequate rest is a common sign of anemia.
  
- Easy Bruising and Bleeding: Easily bruising skin, bleeding gums, or frequent nosebleeds without clear cause.
  
- Recurrent Infections: Vulnerability to frequent infections due to low white blood cell counts.
  
- Shortness of Breath: Lack of red blood cells can cause decreased oxygen levels in the blood, leading to shortness of breath.
 

Diagnosis and Treatment:

1. Blood Tests: Complete blood count (CBC) is used to measure the number and types of blood cells in the blood and can help confirm the diagnosis of aplastic anemia.

2. Bone Marrow Biopsy: This procedure involves taking a bone marrow sample for analysis under a microscope to examine the health and quantity of stem cells.

3. Supportive Therapy: Initial treatment for aplastic anemia often involves blood transfusions to address the shortage of red, white, and platelet cells.

4. Immunosuppressive Therapy: If aplastic anemia is caused by an autoimmune reaction, immunosuppressive treatment may be prescribed to suppress the immune system response.

5. Bone Marrow Transplantation: For severe or refractory cases, bone marrow transplantation may be an option to replace damaged bone marrow with healthy marrow.
 

Prevention and Prognosis:

There is no sure way to prevent aplastic anemia, especially if it is caused by genetic or autoimmune factors. However, minimizing exposure to toxic substances and maintaining overall health can help reduce the risk. The prognosis of aplastic anemia depends on the severity of the condition and the response to treatment. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many individuals with aplastic anemia can achieve remission or good control of their condition. Aplastic anemia is a serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. With a good understanding of symptoms, appropriate treatment, and adequate medical support, many patients can manage their condition and lead productive lives. If you or someone you know is experiencing suspicious symptoms, consult a specialist physician at Hermina Ciruas Hospital.

 

Reference :
- Adiyanti, S., & Azmi, F. H. "Faktor Risiko Anemia Aplastik pada Pasien Anak di RSUP Dr. Sardjito Yogyakarta." Majority 7.3 (2018): 92-98.

- Desmond, Ronan, and Neal S. Young. "Aplastic anemia." New England Journal of Medicine 379.17 (2018): 1643-1656.

- Suryantari, T., & Tamin, M. "Profil Pasien Anemia Aplastik di RSUP Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Manado Periode Januari 2017–Januari 2019." Jurnal e-Clinic (ECL) 7.1 (2019): 98-105.