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Aplastic anaemia is a bone marrow failure disorder causing low red cells, white cells and platelets.
Quick Answer
Aplastic anaemia is a bone marrow failure disorder causing low red cells, white cells and platelets. Dr. Sachita Baniya (NMC 20158, 8+ years of clinical experience in haematology and haemato-oncology) evaluates aplastic anaemia at Kathmandu Neurology Clinic & Cognitive Center, 117 Lal Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Bagmati Province 44600, Nepal — evidence-based, medically reviewed.
Aplastic anaemia results from immune-mediated destruction of haematopoietic stem cells, leading to a hypocellular marrow and pancytopenia. It can be acquired or inherited. Diagnosis requires marrow examination and exclusion of other causes.
Diagnosis requires pancytopenia with a hypocellular marrow on biopsy. Cytogenetics, flow cytometry and tests for inherited marrow failure help exclude mimics. Severity is classified by blood counts.
Supportive care includes transfusion and infection prevention. Younger patients with a matched sibling donor may undergo allogeneic transplant. Others may receive immunosuppressive therapy with antithymocyte globulin and ciclosporin, with eltrombopag in selected cases.
Management is individualized and discussed with benefits, limitations, and follow-up.
Avoid unnecessary exposure to marrow-toxic drugs and chemicals. There is no proven way to prevent immune-mediated aplastic anaemia.
Red flags — seek urgent care
It is a bone marrow failure disorder rather than a cancer, though it can evolve into myelodysplasia or leukemia in a minority of patients.
Aplastic anaemia has a hypocellular marrow with few abnormal cells, while MDS has dysplastic but often cellular marrow. Distinction requires marrow examination and cytogenetics.
Allogeneic transplant can cure the disease in eligible patients. Immunosuppressive therapy can restore blood counts in many others, though relapse is possible.
Response can take several months. Patients need transfusion and infection support during that time.
Most cases are acquired. Inherited marrow failure syndromes such as Fanconi anaemia should be excluded, especially in younger patients or those with physical features.
Pregnancy requires specialist planning because of risks to mother and baby. Care should involve haematology and obstetrics.
It is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist used in selected patients to improve platelet counts, often in combination with immunosuppressive therapy.
Regular blood counts, infection surveillance, transfusion review and monitoring for relapse or clonal evolution.
Specialist assessment for abnormal blood counts, anaemia, low platelets, bleeding, clotting and suspected blood disorders.
Donor stem cell transplant for selected high-risk blood cancers and marrow failure.
Red cell and platelet transfusion support for haematological disease and treatment.
Myelodysplastic syndromes are clonal marrow disorders causing low blood counts and a variable risk of progression to leukemia.
Neutropenia is a low neutrophil count that increases the risk of bacterial infection.
Pancytopenia is a reduction in all three blood cell lines, caused by marrow failure, destruction or sequestration.
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Reviewed by Dr. Jitendra Prasad Yadav • Last reviewed: 2026-11-10
Content is educational and aligns with standard medical references; individual evaluation may vary. External links provide context and do not imply endorsement.
Doctor — medically reviewed
Dr. Sachita Baniya
Consultant Haemato-Oncologist & Clinical Hematologist • MBBS, FCPS (Clinical Haematology) • NMC 20158
This condition guide was medically reviewed by Dr. Sachita Baniya.
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