Acquired Aplastic Anemia


  • Definition of Acquired Aplastic Anemia
  • Causes of Acquired aplastic anemia
  • Symptoms of Acquired aplastic anemia
  • Acquired aplastic anaemia treatment

 

Definition of Acquired Aplastic Anemia

 

Aplastic anemia is a clinical syndrome that results from a marked diminution of marrow blood cell production. The latter results in reticulocytopenia, anemia, granulocytopenia, monocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia. The diagnosis usually requires the presence of pancytopenia with a neutrophil count fewer than 1500/L (1.5 x 109/L), a platelet count fewer than 50,000/L (50 x 109/L), a hemoglobin concentration less than 10 g/dL (100 g/L), and an absolute reticulocyte count fewer than 40,000/L (40 x 109/L), accompanied by a hypocellular marrow without abnormal or malignant cells or fibrosis.1 For the purpose of therapeutic decision making, comparative clinical trials, and international sharing of data, the disease has been stratified into moderately severe, severe, and very severe acquired aplastic anemia based on the blood counts (especially the neutrophil count) and the degree of marrow hypocellularity . Most cases of aplastic anemia are acquired; fewer cases are the result of an inherited disorder, such as Fanconi anemia, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, and others (see “Hereditary Aplastic Anemia” below).

 

Degree of Severity of Acquired Aplastic Anemia
Diagnostic Categories Hemoglobin Reticulocyte Concentration Neutrophil Count Platelet Count Marrow Biopsy Comments
Moderately severe <100 g/L <40 x 109/L <1.5 x 109/L <50 x 109/L Marked decrease of hematopoietic cells. At the time of diagnosis at least 2 of 3 blood counts should meet these criteria.
Severe <90 g/L <30.0 x 109/L <0.5 x 109/L <30.0 x 109/L Marked decrease or absence of hematopoietic cells. Search for a histocompatible sibling should be made if age permits.
Very Severe <80 g/L <20.0 x 109/L <0.2 x 109/L <20.0 x 109/L Marked decrease or absence of hematopoietic cells. Search for a histocompatible sibling should be made if age permits.