Aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia is a condition where the bone marrow does not produce enough, or any, new cells to replenish the blood cells. One known cause is an autoimmune disorder, where the white blood cells attack the bone marrow. In many cases, the etiology is impossible to determine, but aplastic anemia is sometimes associated with exposure to substances such as benzene or to the use of certain drugs, including chloramphenicol and phenylbutazone.

Related Topics:
Bone marrow - Cell - Blood - Autoimmune disorder - White blood cell - Chloramphenicol - Phenylbutazone

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The term 'aplastic' refers to the inability of the marrow to function properly. Anemia is the condition of having fewer blood cells than normal, or fewer than needed to function properly. Typically, anemia refers to low red blood cell counts, but aplastic anemia patients have lower counts on all three blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Related Topics:
Anemia - Red blood cell - White blood cell - Platelets

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