THE word anaemia defines a state in which the level of haemoglobin is found to be below that expected for both age and sex. The aetiology of anaemia results from one or more of the following: (a) Loss of blood (b) Inadequate production of normal red cells by the bone marrow (hypoplasia/aplasia) (c ) And excessive destruction of red cells(haemolysis).

In people who have aplastic anaemia, the body doesn’t make enough red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. This is because the bone marrow’s stem cells are damaged. If your bone marrow is unable to make enough new blood cells, a number of health problems can occur.

These include heart arrhythmias, an enlarged heart, heart failure, infections and bleeding. Severe aplastic anaemia can even cause death. A number of diseases, conditions, or factors can cause damage to the stem cells. These causes can be acquired or inherited. In more than half of the people who have aplastic anaemia, the cause is unknown. People of all ages can get this type of anaemia, but it is more common in adolescents, young adults and the elderly.

Low numbers of red/white cells and platelets cause most of the signs and symptoms of aplastic anaemia. These may include fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, coldness in hands/feet, pale skin, chest pain, infections and bleeding (gums and nosebleeds). Women may have heavy menstrual bleeding.

Treatments for aplastic anaemia include blood transfusions, blood and bone marrow stem cell transplants and medicines. Treatment aims are to prevent or limit complications, relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

Most people who have this disorder are able to resume their normal daily routines after treatment, but it can take time before good results from treatment are achieved. It is not unusual for the patient to have repeated treatments.

People with this disorder are also at a higher risk of infection due to low white blood cell counts, therefore the best practice to lower your risk for infection is to stay away from sick people and avoid large gatherings of people.