Aplastic Anemia Summary Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious blood disorder. If you have it, your bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. Causes include Toxic substances, such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene Radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer Certain medicines Infections such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, or HIV Autoimmune disorders Certain inherited conditions Pregnancy In many people, the cause is unknown. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. It can cause heart problems such as an irregular heartbeat, an enlarged heart, and heart failure. You may also have frequent infections and bleeding. Your doctor will diagnose aplastic anemia based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and test results. Once your doctor knows the cause and severity of the condition, he or she can create a treatment plan for you. Treatments include blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and medicines. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Women Anemia Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Array Aplastic anemia Fanconi’s anemia Start Here Aplastic Anemia National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Aplastic Anemia Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Specifics Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Fanconi Anemia National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA) National Marrow Donor Program Treatments and Therapies Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute How Is Aplastic Anemia Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute How Is Fanconi Anemia Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Iron Chelation Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation What Is a Blood Transfusion? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Anemia, Aplastic National Institutes of Health Diagnosis and Tests Complete Blood Count American Association for Clinical Chemistry How Is Aplastic Anemia Diagnosed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute How Is Fanconi Anemia Diagnosed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Reticulocyte Count Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry What Are Bone Marrow Tests? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Genetics Genetics Home Reference: Fanconi anemia National Library of Medicine Living With Living with Aplastic Anemia National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Living with Fanconi Anemia National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Find an Expert National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Journal Articles Aplastic anemia Related Issues Special Issues for People with Aplastic Anemia Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation What Causes Aplastic Anemia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Symptoms What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Fanconi Anemia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute