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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Aplastic anemia is a condition that occurs when your body stops producing enough new blood cells. Aplastic anemia leaves you feeling fatigued and at higher risk of infections and uncontrolled bleeding.

A rare and serious condition, aplastic anemia can develop at any age, though it's most common in younger people. Treatment for aplastic anemia may include medications, blood transfusions or a bone marrow transplant. Once considered nearly always fatal, aplastic anemia has a much better prognosis today, thanks to advances in treatment.

References
  1. Aplastic anemia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/aplastic/aplastic_all.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
  2. Aplastic anemia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec11/ch130/ch130f.html#sec11-ch130-ch130e-91. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
  3. Young NS. Aplastic anemia. Current Opinion in Hematology. 2008;15:162.
  4. Schrier SL. Aplastic anemia: Pathogenesis; clinical manifestations; and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
  5. Schrier SL. Aplastic anemia: Prognosis and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
  6. Shih RD. Plants, mushrooms, and herbal medications. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119296292-3/801134565/1365/515.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50167-0--cesec32_8318. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.

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March 27, 2009

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