A decrease in the production of blood cells means that patients are more susceptible to bleeding, fatigue and infections. Incidence Aplastic anemia affects between two to six people per million worldwide. The disease is more prevalent in Asia than in the Western world.
Most cases occur in senior citizens, but a significant number of children are affected.
Treatment Options Patients with severe aplastic anemia require immediate hospital treatment. Initial treatment often includes blood transfusions and intravenous antibiotics. Bone marrow transplantation is recommended for patients who are good candidates and who have a matched donor. Most young patients who have a matched donor are successfully cured by bone marrow transplantation. Drug therapy is another treatment choice that is usually successful.