What are the symptoms of aplastic anemia?
Symptoms of aplastic anemia can be confused with other medical conditions. Understand
Edited and resized image by Paweł Czerwiński, is available on Unsplash
Aplastic anemia is an autoimmune condition with no defined cause. In this type of anemia, the bone marrow stops producing the cells that make up the blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, causing symptoms such as paleness, tiredness, bruises, bleeding, fever and tendency to infections.
If left untreated, within ten months, aplastic anemia can lead to death from infections.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of aplastic anemia include:
- Pallor of the skin and mucous membranes;
- Frequent infections;
- Bruising without apparent cause;
- Excessive bleeding in small cuts;
- Tiredness;
- Shortness of breathe;
- Tachycardia;
- Bleeding in the gums;
- Dizziness;
- Headache;
- Skin rash.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of aplastic anemia is not easy. This is because the signs and symptoms of this type of anemia can be confused with other clinical conditions.
However, the diagnosis is extremely important for the proper care, resulting in a better therapeutic result and prognosis of the case.
The diagnosis of aplastic anemia can be made using a complete blood count, in order to verify the hemoglobin, platelet, neutrophil and reticulocyte counts.
And/or through bone marrow biopsy, bone x-ray, vitamin B12 dosage, ferritin test, serology for viral infections, biochemical tests, cytogenetic study and direct and indirect coombs.
Causes
Aplastic anemia can be congenital or acquired. It can be caused by the use of medications, infections, neoplasms (forms of tumors and cancer) in the blood, systemic diseases, exposure to radiation and chemical agents, among other causes.
There are reports that populations of Asian origin have a higher incidence of the disease. But the vast majority of cases of aplastic anemia are acquired.
In cases of acquired aplastic anemia, it can be caused, for example, by vitamin deficiencies, leukemia, leishmaniasis, immunological diseases or those that stimulate the action of the spleen.
Treatment
The treatment for aplastic anemia is defined by the hematologist according to the cause that generated each case. It can be given through blood transfusions, bone marrow transplantation, removal of the spleen, antibiotics for infections and corticosteroids or immunosuppressants such as methylprednisolone, cyclosporine and prednisone.
