Aplastic anemia is classified into several types.

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Aplastic anemia is divided into two types: acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia.

Acute aplastic anemia presents suddenly and is severe. Treatment requires intensified immunotherapy or suppression of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Chronic aplastic anemia develops slowly, has a longer history, and is relatively less severe. The treatment for chronic aplastic anemia mainly involves immunotherapy combined with therapy to promote hematopoiesis.

In addition, regardless of the type, all cases of aplastic anemia require regular complete blood count checks and, when necessary, supportive treatment with red blood cell and platelet transfusions.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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The differences between aplastic anemia and megaloblastic anemia.

Aplastic anemia is a type of bone marrow failure syndrome where patients can present with reduced total blood cells in the peripheral blood, without enlargement of the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes, and an increased ratio of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Bone marrow indicates low regeneration, reduced hematopoietic tissue, and increased non-hematopoietic tissue, with the condition arising from changes in the bone marrow microenvironment leading to a reduction in blood cells. Megaloblastic anemia, also known as nutritional anemia, is primarily caused by a lack of folate and vitamin B12, leading to a red blood cell synthesis disorder and resulting in anemia. Severe megaloblastic anemia can also present with reduced total blood cells. However, the red blood cells typically exhibit macrocytic anemia. In contrast, aplastic anemia generally presents with normocytic anemia.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Can aplastic anemia have children?

Acute aplastic anemia, after effective immunotherapy and discontinuation of medication for more than two years, or after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and discontinuation of medication for more than two years, it is possible to have children. In cases of chronic aplastic anemia, due to long-term oral intake of immunosuppressants and hematopoietic stimulants, having children is not advised. However, if immunosuppressants and hematopoietic drugs are effective and discontinued for more than two years, and blood levels are acceptable, then it is possible to have children.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
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Does aplastic anemia easily cause oral ulcers?

Patients with aplastic anemia are more prone to oral ulcers. Aplastic anemia is a type of bone marrow failure syndrome, where there is a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the peripheral blood to various extents. Long-term anemia can lead to mucosal ischemia and hypoxia. The reduction in white blood cells weakens the mucosal barrier's protective function, making it susceptible to bacterial invasion and thus prone to oral ulcers. Additionally, patients with anemia often have poor diets over long periods, leading to a deficiency in various vitamins, which is another reason why they are prone to oral ulcers. If symptoms like joint pain are present along with oral ulcers, further rheumatological and immunological tests should be conducted to rule out rheumatic and immune system diseases.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Does aplastic anemia cause fever?

Aplastic anemia itself does not cause fever in patients; however, individuals with aplastic anemia experience a decrease in all blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. A significant reduction in white blood cells, such as in a state of neutropenia, can lower a patient's resistance to infections, which makes it easy for secondary infections to occur and thus induce fever. Furthermore, in cases of severe anemia, severe aplastic anemia can also lead to the occurrence of low-grade fever in patients. On the other hand, a reduction in platelets generally does not cause fever. Therefore, when a patient with aplastic anemia has a fever, it is important to determine the cause of the fever.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
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What causes aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia's exact causes are still not completely clear. Clinically, it is believed that immune dysfunction is a significant factor associated with aplastic anemia. Most cases of aplastic anemia can achieve good therapeutic outcomes through immunosuppressive treatment, which indirectly supports this view. However, some scholars believe that in aplastic anemia, there are patients for whom immunosuppressive treatment is ineffective. This suggests that other factors might exist, such as congenital anomalies in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, or abnormalities in the hematopoietic microenvironment, which may also play a role in the development of aplastic anemia.