This Anemia May Require Hospitalization
This Anemia May Require Hospitalization
Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious condition characterized by the
body’s underproduction of new red blood cells, white blood cells, and
platelets. Bone marrow is a substance contained in bones that is responsible
for continuously producing new stem cells, which are essential for
producing new blood cells to be released into the bloodstream. Because
blood cells only live for a limited period of time, it is essential that the
bone marrow continually produce new blood cells. When the bone marrow
is damaged, aplastic anemia may result.
The severity of this anemia ranges from mild to severe. Severe aplastic
anemia requires immediate hospitalization because it is life-threatening.
When the condition is not severe, treatment options include blood
transfusions and immunosuppressant medications. Treatment with
immunosuppresants such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) and
anti-thymocyte globulin (Thymoglobulin) may be appropriate, These
medications suppress immune cells that cause damage to the bone marrow.
Corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone (Medrol) are typically
given in combination with immunosuppressants. Granulocyte colonystimulating
factor medications, such as filgrastim (Neupogen), work to
stimulate bone marrow production of new blood cells.