Bone marrow failure occurs when the bone marrow produces too few blood cells, resulting in symptoms such as weakness, infections, and easy bruising. It can be caused by genetic conditions, viruses, radiation, or drugs. Treatment options include medication, transfusions, and bone marrow transplantation.
Bone marrow failure occurs when the bone marrow produces too little or no blood cells. Symptoms may include weakness, bacterial infections, or easy bruising. Depending on the severity of the condition, it may be treated with medications or require transfusions.
Bone marrow is a flexible tissue found within the hollow centers of bones. It is made up of two types, red and yellow marrow. The red marrow is responsible for the production of red blood cells, platelets and most white blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, platelets are involved in blood clotting, and white blood cells are part of the immune system.
The most common result of bone marrow failure is known as pancytopenia. This is where a condition causes a decrease in the number of red blood cells. This can be classified as anemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia depending on how severely the condition reduces hemoglobin, the key component of red blood cells. Anemia is the smallest reduction and thrombocytopenia the largest reduction.
The severity of symptoms caused by bone marrow failure usually depends on how great the reduction in hemoglobin is. Anemia most commonly causes weakness and tiredness, but it can also lead to an increased heart rate. Neutropenia can increase the severity and frequency of bacterial infections. Thrombocytopenia can make you more likely to bruise or bleed easily.
Some forms of bone marrow failure result from genetic conditions. The most common cause is Fanconi anemia, often abbreviated to AF. This condition can also cause skeletal problems, short stature, and an increased risk of leukemia.
Bone marrow failure can also be an acquired condition. This can be caused by a virus, such as hepatitis B or the Epstein-Barr virus, otherwise known as HHV-4 and one of the most common viruses in humans. Bone marrow failure can also be caused by ionizing radiation or some types of drugs. In rare cases it can develop as a result of chemotherapy, although the condition should end once chemotherapy is finished.
There are drug treatments for bone marrow failure, with antithymocyte globulin being the most common. This is a drug also used in organ transplants to reduce the likelihood or minimize the effects of body and organ rejection. Another treatment is blood transfusions which use blood with particularly high levels of red blood cells and platelets. In severe cases, the bone marrow itself can be transplanted.
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