Aplastic Anemias

Question 1

Whats the definition of aplastic anemia?

Answer 1

Failed production of rbcs, plts and wbcs due to
damage of hematopoietic stem cells

Question 2

What characteristics are seen with aplastic anemias in regards to indices and observable changes?

Answer 2

Low Plt
Low RBC
Low WBC
Hypocellular Bone Marrow

Question 3

What are the three causes of aplastic anemias?

Answer 3

Idioplastic, Acquired, & Hereditary

Question 4

What are the methods of acquired aplastic anemias?

Answer 4

Exposure Routes
Radiation
Chemical (ie benzene)
Drugs: (ie chloramphenicol)
Viral: Hep C, EBV, CMV, parvovirus
Rare Causes: Pregancy, PNH

Question 5

What are the two main forms of hereditary aplastic anemias?

Answer 5

Fanconi’s Anemia & Congenital Pure Red Cell Aplasia (Diamond-Blackfan)

Question 6

General characteristics of Fanconi’s Anemia

Answer 6

Fragile or unstable stem cells chromosomes
Physical abnormalities (short thumb/neurologic/skin discoloring)
Often succumb to infection and/or hemorrhage
High incidence of leukemias (AML)
Early mortality - 20’s

Question 7

General characteristics of Congenital Pure Red Cell Aplasia

Answer 7

Defective stem cells unable to commit to RBC precursors
WBC & PLT normal