Anemia

Aplastic anaemia

Dr. Sura Obay

You will learn in this lecture:

Definition and pathogenesis of aplastic anemia Congenital aplastic anemia Acquired causes of aplastic anemia Clinical features Laboratory diagnosis Treatment

Aplastic Anaemia

Definition: Bone marrow failure characterized by peripheral pancytopenia and marrow hypoplasia. Pancytopenia: Reduction in the blood count of all major cell lines (RBCs, WBCs and Platelets). Pathogenesis: The theoretical basis for marrow failure includes primary defects in or damage to the stem cell or the marrow microenviroment.

Aplastic anemia could be congenital or secondary to other causes. Congenital type: The most common congenital form is Fanconi anemia, and Diamond- blackfan anemia.

Fanconi anaemia

Acquired causes
Secondary is caused by direct damage to the haemopoietic marrow by radaition or cytotoxic drugs, viral infection. Clinical features At any age with a peak incidence ~ 30 years Male predominance Signs and symptoms resulting from anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia

Laboratory findings

Normochromic, normocytic or macrocytic anaemia Reticulopenia Leucopenia Thrombocytopenia No abnormal cells in P.B Hypoplasia in the B.M Diagnosis: B.M sample: distinguish from other causes of pancytopenia


treatment
Treatment may include: Removal of the cause. Medications. Blood transfusions. Bone marrow transplantation.