What Is Aplastic Anemia?
2. What Causes Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia occurs when the stem cells in your bone marrow are damaged. This can affect the production of platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. Interruption to this production renders your blood less able to deliver oxygen to all your organs, fight infection and clot.
Your own immune system is often the culprit if it attacks stem cells in your bone marrow. An existing autoimmune disorder could be the problem. Toxic chemicals used in pesticides, gasoline, chemotherapy and some medications can lead to aplastic anemia, as can a viral infection such as hepatitis or Epstein-Barr.
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