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Aplastic Anemia
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Blood Heart Circulation

Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious blood disorder where damaged stem cells in the bone marrow prevent the production of enough new blood cells.

What is aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious blood disorder. If you have it, your bone marrow doesn't make enough new blood cells. It happens when there is damage to stem cells inside your bone marrow. There are different types of aplastic anemia, including Fanconi anemia.

What causes aplastic anemia?

The causes of aplastic anemia can include:

  • Autoimmune disorders, which are the most common cause
  • Certain inherited gene changes, such as the one that can cause Fanconi anemia
  • Toxic substances, such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene
  • Radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer
  • Certain medicines
  • Viral infections such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, or HIV
  • Pregnancy

In many people, the cause is unknown. This is called idiopathic aplastic anemia.

What are the symptoms of aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia can develop suddenly or slowly. It can be mild or severe. The symptoms of aplastic anemia can include:

  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Easy bruising or bleeding

What other problems can aplastic anemia cause?

Aplastic anemia can cause other problems, including frequent infections and bleeding. It raises your risk of developing a serious blood disorder.

If not treated, aplastic anemia can also lead to heart problems such as an arrhythmia (a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat), an enlarged heart, or heart failure.

How is aplastic anemia diagnosed?

To find out if you have aplastic anemia, your doctor will:

  • Take your medical and your family medical histories
  • Do a physical exam
  • Order tests, such as tests to check if you have low numbers of cells in your bone marrow and blood

What are the treatments for aplastic anemia?

If you have aplastic anemia, your doctor will create a treatment plan for you. The plan will be based on how severe the anemia is and what is causing it. Treatments can include:

  • Blood transfusions
  • Blood and marrow stem cell transplants
  • Medicines to suppress your immune system

Because of the risk of blood disorders, your doctor will monitor your condition and screen you for blood disorders regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Treatment for aplastic anemia depends on its severity and cause. Common treatments include immunosuppressive therapy, which uses medicines to suppress the immune system from attacking bone marrow stem cells, allowing them to recover. Another primary treatment is a bone marrow transplant (also called a stem cell transplant), which replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a donor. Doctors consider factors like the patient's age, overall health, the severity of the anemia, and the availability of a suitable donor when deciding the best course of treatment.
To diagnose aplastic anemia, doctors typically perform a complete blood count (CBC) to measure levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which will be abnormally low. The most definitive test is a bone marrow biopsy, where a small sample of bone marrow is taken, usually from the hip bone, and examined under a microscope. This biopsy shows if the bone marrow is "aplastic" or empty, meaning it lacks the normal number of blood-forming cells, confirming the diagnosis.
Managing daily symptoms involves a combination of medical care and lifestyle adjustments. For fatigue, prioritize rest, pace your activities, and consider light exercise if approved by your doctor. To minimize bruising and bleeding, avoid activities that could cause injury, use a soft toothbrush, and be gentle with your skin. Your doctor may also prescribe medications or blood transfusions to help manage these symptoms by boosting blood cell counts. Always discuss symptom management strategies with your healthcare team.
If aplastic anemia is caused by an inherited gene change, such as Fanconi anemia, it means there's a genetic predisposition. This has implications for family members, who may be carriers or at risk of developing the condition themselves. Genetic counseling is often recommended for affected individuals and their families. This can help assess the risk for other family members, inform family planning decisions, and guide screening for early detection in at-risk relatives.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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