Causes and Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia
The cause of the damage can be acquired or inherited. "Acquired" means you aren't born with the condition, but you develop it. "Inherited" means your parents passed the gene for the condition on to you.
Acquired aplastic anemia is more common, and sometimes it's only temporary. Inherited aplastic anemia is rare.
In many people who have aplastic anemia, the cause is unknown. Some research suggests that stem cell damage may occur because the body's immune system attacks its own cells by mistake.
Acquired Causes
• Many diseases, conditions, and factors can cause aplastic anemia, including:
• Toxins, such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene.
• Radiation and chemotherapy (treatments for cancer).
• Medicines, such as chloramphenicol (an antibiotic rarely used in the United States).
• Infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus (si-to-MEG-ah-lo-Virus), parvovirus B19, and HIV.
• Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Pregnancy. (Aplastic anemia that occurs during pregnancy often goes away after delivery.)
• Sometimes, cancer from another part of the body can spread to the bone and cause aplastic anemia.
Inherited Causes
Certain inherited conditions can damage the stem cells and lead to aplastic anemia. Examples include Fanconi anemia, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, dyskeratosis (DIS-ker-ah-TO-sis) congenita, and Diamond-Blackfan anemia.
Who Is At Risk for Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious blood disorder. People of all ages can develop aplastic anemia. However, it's most common in adolescents, young adults, and the elderly. Men and women are equally likely to have it.
The disorder is two to three times more common in Asian countries.
Your risk of aplastic anemia is higher if you:
• Have been exposed to toxins
• Have taken certain medicines or had radiation or chemotherapy (treatments for cancer)
• Have certain infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, or inherited conditions.
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