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

At the time of his graduation last month, Brady Larson, a 20-year-old patient at the Mayo Clinic, was preparing to undergo a stem cell transplant from his 15-year-old sister, Brooklyn, to treat his severe aplastic anemia. —Jillian Frankel, People.com, 5 June 2025

Healthy bone marrow constantly supports your bone renewal and produces red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Diseases that affect bone marrow include leukemia, polycythemia vera, and aplastic anemia. —Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025

Untreated aplastic anemia can cause heart palpitations or lead to heart failure. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 Nov. 2024

In September 2022, Adam and Candace Cromer learned that their daughter Sophie, then 6, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare bone marrow disease. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aplastic anemia

• hypercalcemia
• hyperglycaemia
• hyperglycemia
• hyperkalemia
• hypernatremia
• hypocalcemia
• hypoglycaemia
• hypoglycemia
• hypokalemia
• hyponatremia
• hypovolemia
• polycythemia

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