Acquired Aplastic Anemia

Synonyms

• Idiopathic Aplastic Anemia

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Acquired aplastic anemia is a rare disorder caused by profound, almost complete bone marrow failure. Bone marrow is the spongy substance found in the center of the long bones of the body. The bone marrow produces specialized cells (hematopoietic stem cells) that grow and eventually develop into red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets. In acquired aplastic anemia, an almost complete absence of hematopoietic stem cells eventually results in low levels of red and white blood cells and platelets (pancytopenia). Specific symptoms associated with acquired aplastic anemia may vary, but include fatigue, chronic infections, dizziness, weakness, headaches, and episodes of excessive bleeding. Although some cases of acquired aplastic anemia occur secondary to other disorders, researchers now believe that most cases result from a disorder of the patient’s immune system, in which the immune system mistakenly targets the bone marrow (autoimmunity). This is based on the response of approximately half of patients to immunotherapy, whether it is ATG, cyclosporine, high-dose steroids or cyclophosphamide.

Resources

Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 310
Churchton, MD 20733
USA
Tel: 4108670242
Fax: 4108670240
Tel: 8007472820
Email: info@aamds.org
Internet: http://www.aamds.org

NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
31 Center Drive MSC 2480
Building 31A Rm 4A16
Bethesda, MD 20892-2480
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (240)629-3246
Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

Aplastic Anemia & Myelodysplasia Association of Canada
11181 Yonge Street,Suite 321
Richmond Hill
Ontario, Intl L4S 1L2
Canada
Tel: 9057800698
Fax: 8888400039
Email: info@aamac.ca
Internet: http://www.aamac.ca

NIH/Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Tel: (301)402-0764
Fax: (301)402-3088
Email: zamaniw@nhlbi.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/seekpat/hematol.htm

Dubowitz Syndrome Support
c/o 106 Verndale Street
Warwick, RI 02889-3242
USA
Tel: 4017373138
Email: dubowitzsyndrome@netzero.net
Internet: http://www.dubowitzsyndrome.net

Anemia Institute for Research and Education
151 Bloor Street West
Suite 600
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1S4
Canada
Tel: 416-969-7431
Fax: 416-969-7420
Tel: 877-992-6364
Email: info@anemiainstitute.org
Internet: http://www.anemiainstitute.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

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This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 1/11/2005
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