Autoimmune aplastic anemia

In autoimmune aplastic anemia, the immune system is understood to mount a T-cell mediated attack against the stem cells in bone marrow that normally give rise to red cells, white cells, and platelets, so the marrow becomes underactive and produces too few of all three blood cell lines. Cytotoxic T-cells release inflammatory signals that suppress this production and drive the cells toward early cell death, leaving the body short across the board rather than in just one blood cell type.

The condition is uncommon, with research describing an incidence of roughly 2 cases per million people per year in Western populations and a rate about two to three times higher in parts of Asia. It can occur at any age and shows two peaks, affecting younger people between about 10 and 25 and, separately, adults over 60.

Common signs

Fatigue and shortness of breath from low red cells, frequent or lingering infections from low white cells, and easy bruising, petechiae, or bleeding from low platelets.

This is a plain-language summary for orientation, not a diagnosis. Mechanisms are described as current understanding, not settled fact. Work with your own clinician for your care.