aplastic anemia

noun

aplas·​tic anemia (ˌ)ā-ˈpla-stik- 

: anemia that is characterized by defective function of the blood-forming organs (such as the bone marrow) and is caused by toxic agents (such as chemicals or X-rays) or is idiopathic in origin

Examples of aplastic anemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract are especially sensitive, and people may develop aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder in which the marrow cannot make new blood cells, and a devastating and rapid form of leukemia. —Monique Brouillette, Popular Mechanics, 28 Aug. 2023

Cameron, then 6, had an immune system compromised first by severe aplastic anemia and then by the marrow transplant. —Dave Kallmann, Journal Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2023

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, aplastic anemia, colon cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, asbestosis, Ewing’s sarcoma, emphysema, cancer of the brain, cancer of the heart: these are some of the illnesses that appeared in our town. —Rosemary McClure, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2021

Along with hypothyroid conditions, perchlorate has also been implicated in aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis, conditions characterized by a life-threatening deficiency of blood cells. —David Warmflash, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2016

Specialists conducted two bone marrow biopsies for potential blood cancer and aplastic anemia, in which the bone marrow fails to produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. —Amitha Kalaichandran, Discover Magazine, 9 Aug. 2020

And then the new thing, aplastic anemia, was completely unrelated. —Dave Kallmann, Journal Sentinel, 25 Dec. 2022

For example, Marie Curie died of aplastic anemia, resulting from years of radiation exposure. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 10 Feb. 2022

In March 2020, my wife was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia and received a lifesaving — though terrifying — bone marrow transplant in April 2020. —Lisa M. Bolton, Washington Post, 17 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

aplastic anemia

noun

: severe anemia that results from defective functioning of the bone marrow with an abnormal reduction in blood cells and that is characterized especially by headache, fatigue, paleness, fever, recurrent infections, bruising or rashes, and rapid or irregular heartbeat

Note: Aplastic anemia is often of unknown cause but may occur as a congenital or inherited condition (as in Fanconi's anemia) or be caused by exposure to toxic agents (such as chemicals, drugs, or X-rays) or infection with pathogens (such as hepatitis virus or HIV).

called also hypoplastic anemia