Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia is a rare blood disorder that occurs when the bone marrow fails to produce a sufficient number of blood cells needed by the body. “Aplastic” comes from a Greek word meaning no growth or low growth. The bone marrow produces stem cells, which are “primitive” or immature cells that grow into three types of blood cells: red blood cells, which deliver oxygen through the body; white blood cells, which fight infections; and platelets, which help the blood to clot. The bone marrow of patients with aplastic anemia do not have enough stem cells to produce the blood cells needed by the body. Exposure to benzene and certain other toxic solvents and chemicals can cause aplastic anemia.

The following can be symptoms of aplastic anemia:

• Chronic fatigue
• Excessive sleeping
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Decreased alertness
• Excessive or easy bleeding, such as bleeding of the nose, gums, and under the skin
• Easy bruising, particularly bruising with no apparent cause
• Pale skin
• Dizziness
• Mouth ulcers
• Tiny spots under the skin (called “petechiae”)
• Recurrent fever
• Swollen gums
• Slow healing of cuts
• Recurrent infections
• Weakness

For more information about aplastic anemia, including the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, please visit Aplastic Anemia: Medical Information.

For over 29 years, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has fought to safeguard the rights of victims of toxic substances like benzene. The Leukemia Lawyer Web site is a service of Baron & Budd, P.C.