Aplastic Anaemia is a condition is which the bone marrow isn’t able to properly produce a sufficient amount of new cells in order to replenish unhealthy or abnormal blood cells. The term “aplastic” is used to explain how the marrow suffers from an aplasia which renders it unable to function in a proper manner. Anaemia is described as the condition of having reduced hemoglobin or a reduced amount of red cell concentration in the bloodstream.

In most cases, anaemia refers to low red blood cell counts; however, in patients who have aplastic anaemia, their bodies have lower counts of three different blood cell types. Those suffering from aplastic anaemia have lower counts of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Causes of Aplastic Anaemia

One known cause of aplastic anaemia is an autoimmune disorder that causes the white blood cells to attack the bone marrow. In several cases, the reasoning for this attack on the bone marrow is unable to be determined, though the condition is often linked to exposure to toxic chemicals like benzene. Radiation and the use of certain drugs are also associated with aplastic anaemia.

Among the drugs that have been known to cause aplastic anaemia are:

• Chloramphenicol
• Carbamazepine
• Felbamate
• Phenytoin

Aplastic anaemia is also found to be present in an estimated 2% of patients who have acute viral hepatitis. Aplastic anaemia has also been known to affect animals and the causes vary depending on the type of animal inflicted with the condition. For example, in ferrets, aplastic anaemia is commonly caused by estrogen toxicity since they are induced ovulators. After an extended period of time, high levels of estrogen can cause the bone marrow to stop producing healthy red blood cells. Researchers and scientists have not ruled out high levels of estrogen being the cause behind human asplastic anaemia either.

Symptoms Associated with Aplastic Anaemia

Those affected by aplastic anaemia can often experience the following symptoms:

• Palpitations
• Thrombocytopenia, which is a low platelet count, leading to an increased risk of hemorrhaging
• Leukopenia, which is a low white blood cell count, leading to a high risk of infection

Diagnosing and Treating Aplastic Anaemia

For patients with aplastic anaemia, the diagnosis can solely be characterized by a thorough bone marrow examination. However, before a bone marrow test is conducted, the patient will typically have to undergo several blood tests so doctors can discover any diagnostic clues, including a complete blood count (CBC).
When treating the condition, doctors typically suppress the immune system, which can be achieved by taking daily medicine. In more severe cases of aplastic anaemia, a bone marrow transplant is necessary to potentially cure the illness, though this type of transplant is extremely risky.

Do you know someone who is living with aplastic anaemia due to their exposure to benzene? If so, please contact us today to speak with a trustworthy and experienced attorney who will give your loved ones the legal advice and support they are seeking.

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See Also:

• What is Benzene
• Aplastic Anemia

Benzene Leukemia Law Blog