Etymed
aplastic anemia
Definition
A condition characterized by the failure of bone marrow to produce sufficient blood cells, resulting in a deficiency of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Clinical context
A 28-year-old woman presents with fatigue, frequent infections, and easy bruising for the past month. Laboratory studies reveal pancytopenia with a markedly reduced reticulocyte count. Bone marrow biopsy shows hypocellular marrow with increased fat content. She has no response to conventional anemia treatments.
Mnemonic
Aplastic anemia = 'A' for 'aplastic' marrow, 'P' for 'pancytopenia', 'L' for 'leukopenia', 'A' for 'anemia', 'T' for 'thrombocytopenia', 'I' for 'infection', 'C' for 'cancer' (as a differential), 'A' for 'acquired' or 'autoimmune'