Aplastic Anemia in Children
What is aplastic anemia?
Aplastic anemia is a serious condition in which the bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. With fewer blood cells, a child with aplastic anemia has:
- Less oxygen sent to organs, tissues and cells (from too few red blood cells)
- Increased risk of infection (from too few white blood cells)
- Increased risk of bleeding problems (from too few platelets)
What causes aplastic anemia in children?
Aplastic anemia in children has many causes. Sometimes the cause is unknown. There are many known causes. They may develop it at some point during childhood. Or, it may be passed down from parent to child.
Acquired causes include:
- Infection. These include hepatitis or liver infection, and many different viral illnesses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), parvovirus B19, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Cancer. Some cancers affect the bone marrow.
- Autoimmune disease. For example, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
- Toxins. For example, heavy metals, pesticides, benzene
- Radiation therapy and chemotherapy. For the treatment of cancer.
What are the symptoms of aplastic anemia in children?
The following are the most common symptoms of aplastic anemia. Symptoms may include:
- From decreased red blood cells:
- Shortness of breath
- Lack of energy or tiring easily (fatigue)
- Pale skin
- Chest pain
- Irregular heart beat
- Enlarged heart
- From too few white blood cells:
- Mouth sores
- From too few platelets:
- Easy bruising
- Bleeding gums
- Blood in the stool
- Heavy bleeding with menstrual periods
- Other symptoms:
The symptoms of aplastic anemia may look like other blood disorders or medical problems. Always check with your child's doctor for a diagnosis.
How is aplastic anemia in children diagnosed?
Your child's health care provider will likely refer you to a hematologist, an expert in blood disorders. Along with a complete medical history and physical exam of your child, tests for aplastic anemia may include:
- Blood tests
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit. It measures the amount of hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carry oxygen, and red blood cells in the blood.
- Complete blood count, or CBC. A complete blood count checks the red and white blood cells, blood clotting cells (platelets), and sometimes, young red blood cells (reticulocytes). It includes hemoglobin and hematocrit and more details about the red blood cells.
- Peripheral smear. A small sample of blood is examined under a microscope. Blood cells are checked to see if they look normal or not.
- Bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy. A procedure that involves taking a small amount of bone marrow fluid (aspiration) and/or solid bone marrow tissue called a core biopsy. The hip bone is often used. The fluid and tissue are examined for the number, size, and maturity of blood cells and/or abnormal cells.
How is aplastic anemia in children treated?
Your child’s health care provider will figure out the best treatment based on:
- How old your child is
- His or her overall health and medical history
- How sick he or she is
- How well your child can handle specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- How long the condition is expected to last
- Your opinion or preference
Treatment for aplastic anemia depends on the cause. For mild aplastic anemia, treatment may not be needed. Treatment may include:
- Blood transfusions
- Hormones or other medications (to stimulate the bone marrow to produce cells)
- Immunosuppressive medication
- Stem cell transplant
What are the complications of aplastic anemia in children?
With proper treatment, most children with aplastic anemia have no complications.
Without treatment, complications of aplastic anemia include the following:
- Medication used to treat anemia may cause side effects. Talk with your child's health care provider about your child's specific medications.
- Problems with growth and development
- Heart failure
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe infections
How is aplastic anemia in children managed?
Work with your child's health care provid