Aplastic Anemia: How it impacts a patient’s life

Aplastic anemia, or bone marrow failure, is a rare and severe condition in which the human body stops producing enough new blood cells. Although the exact incidence of this condition is unknown, a study reported that there are close to 1.6 cases per million people annually worldwide.
Moreover, there is no significant reason for developing this disease, but it occurs when one’s immune system starts attacking the bone marrow, disrupting the production of cells.Aplastic anemia occurs when stem cells are damaged, resulting in either an empty bone marrow (aplastic) or a few blood cells in the bone marrow (hypoplastic). In this article, we will discuss in depth the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this rare blood disease.

Some of the estimated causes of aplastic anemia include autoimmune diseases, viral infections, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, pregnancy, and inherited bone marrow failure syndromes. That is not all - this disease has also been linked to some inherited conditions, including Fanconi Anemia, Dyskeratosis congenita, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia, and Pearson syndrome. Since these conditions primarily affect one’s bone marrow and other body parts, aplastic anemia may also occur in these patients.
While this kind of anemia has no distinctive symptoms, sure signs may include frequent viral infections, fatigue, bruising, shortness of breath, paler skin color, dizziness, headache, and fever. These signs may mimic other less severe illnesses, so consultation becomes necessary if one has been sick for several weeks and feels fatigued.

According to Dr. Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, “Aplastic anemia is diagnosed through physical examinations, blood tests, and genetic tests. These may include a complete blood count (CBC), peripheral blood smear, reticulocyte count, and bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Further, the treatment plan may vary depending on the patient's situation because some people may sometimes develop this disease due to the treatment they’re receiving for cancer or other autoimmune diseases. In such cases, a change of therapy can be beneficial.”
On the other hand, moderate cases of aplastic anemia may be diagnosed if blood cell levels are lower than average and without visible symptoms. In this case, monitoring overall health and blood counts can address the concern, as it is vital to ensure that the case does not worsen.
In severe cases of aplastic anemia, treatments may include using immunosuppressants to keep the immune system from attacking stem cells. Additionally, blood transfusions may help ease symptoms by replacing red blood cells and platelets, while antibiotics may help treat and combat infections. Lastly, allogeneic stem cell transplantation may also help, wherein the damaged stem cells are replaced with healthy ones from donated blood or bone marrow.


Aplastic anemia significantly impacts a patient's life in various ways. Since weakness and fatigue are common among such patients, they cannot carry out daily activities. The increased risk of infections and bleeding necessitates frequent medical interventions, including hospitalizations and blood transfusions, disrupting regular routines. They also face a lot of emotional challenges, including anxiety and depression, due to the chronic nature of the disease and its impact on quality of life.
Additionally, managing aplastic anemia often requires ongoing medical care, including regular monitoring and potentially intensive treatments such as immunosuppressive therapy or bone marrow transplantation. In other words, aplastic anemia imposes significant physical, emotional, and practical burdens on patients, necessitating comprehensive support and management strategies.


Aplastic anemia can be managed by following a treatment plan and monitoring symptoms. To prevent excessive bleeding, one must avoid high-contact activities and sports like football, hockey, or wrestling. Incorporating proper hygiene practices and getting vaccinations can help one protect themselves from contracting the disease through viruses and germs. Further, getting sufficient rest is also essential for patients with aplastic anemia because they are more likely to feel weakness, breathlessness, and tiredness. Finally, consulting a nutritionist to guide meal planning and eating a healthy diet can also help boost energy.
The success rate for treating aplastic anemia stands around 80 percent, with the cost remaining relatively low. While the disease is highly alarming for the victim and the family of the person who develops this condition, if diagnosed on time, one can fight this disease and live a healthy and fulfilling life.


Aplastic anemia's survival depends on age, disease severity, and initial therapy response. Patients who recover after drug cessation or treatment of underlying conditions have stable clinical courses. According to data, the five-year survival for such patients is over 75 percent for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants. However, if this condition is untreated, patients do not survive beyond a year as they are at a high risk of dying from related complications like bleeding, infections, or lymphoproliferative disorders.