Aplastic anemia is a disorder in which a person's bone marrow does not produce sufficient red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, which transport oxygen, fight infections and allow blood to clot, respectively. Children with aplastic anemia are typically deficient in all three. Aplastic anemia is a rare condition, affecting three out of every million people in the United States each year, according to Children's Hospital Boston. Severe aplastic anemia can be fatal if it goes untreated.
Causes
In most cases, aplastic anemia is idiopathic, meaning it develops without an identifiable primary cause. Exposure to toxic substances such as benzene and certain pesticides can nonetheless cause aplastic anemia. Children receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy as part of a cancer treatment may experience aplastic anemia as a side effect. Aplastic anemia has also been known to occur in people who have contracted the cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus B19 or HIV. Moreover, autoimmune disorders -- conditions in which the immune system attacks healthy cells -- can lead to aplastic anemia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of aplastic anemia vary from child to child. Some may experience fatigue and shortness of breath and appear pale due to a lack of red blood cells. Bruising and bleeding from the nose and gums may also occur as a result of low platelet counts. A compromised immune system can result in frequent and unyielding infections. Other manifestations of aplastic anemia include fever, nausea, dizziness and headaches.
Diagnosis
Aplastic anemia is first detected through a complete blood count, or CBC. If the blood test reveals low red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts, the pediatrician will order a bone marrow aspiration in order to confirm the diagnosis. The procedure involves removing a sample of bone marrow with a syringe. Pathologists analyze the sample to rule out any other blood-related diseases.
Treatment
Bone marrow transplants are often used to treat pediatric sufferers of aplastic anemia. The procedure involves destroying the diseased marrow with chemotherapy and radiation and subsequently introducing healthy stem cells intravenously. Bone marrow transplants, which require hospitalization, are most successful when the donor is a genetically compatible sibling.
Moreover, children with severe aplastic anemia need blood transfusions to restore red blood cell and platelet counts. Palliative treatment may also include medications called growth factors that stimulate blood cell production in the bone marrow and antibiotic and antiviral drugs to ward off infections. Children experiencing aplastic anemia as a result of an autoimmune disease are prescribed medications that suppress the immune system.
Cautions
Because a white blood cell deficiency makes a person more vulnerable to infections and a low platelet count can cause profuse bleeding, the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital cautions that children suffering from aplastic anemia should not undergo dental work and other invasive procedures until blood counts are stable. Participating in contact sports is also discouraged, as cuts and bruises can become infected and fail to heal properly. Strict hygiene and avoiding contact with sick people may also help prevent infections.
