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Blood and immune system diseases

Acquired aplastic anemia

A serious blood disease in which the bone marrow cannot make enough blood cells. Usually, the immune system attacks the bone marrow. It is not inherited.

Not part of the panel of Türkiye's National Newborn Screening Programme (heel-prick test). Source

Orphanet has a guideline for emergency doctors for this disease (language: French). See on Orphanet

Prepare an emergency card

This page is translated from the Turkish original.

This disease is followed through the “Blood and immune system diseases” group.

Understanding the disease

This section has not yet been reviewed by a physician. It summarises patient information from sources such as MedlinePlus, Orphanet and the NHS in plain language. The disease can differ from person to person; talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment.

What happens in this disease?

The bone marrow makes red and white blood cells and platelets. In this disease, the stem cells are damaged and their number falls. Usually, the immune system attacks the bone marrow by mistake. Sometimes a medicine, a toxic substance or a virus triggers it; in most people, no cause is found.

Which symptoms can occur?

The disease can begin suddenly or slowly. It can be mild or severe. Symptoms depend on which blood cells have fallen and by how much.

  • Tiredness, weakness and paleness
  • Dizziness and shortness of breath
  • Easy bruising
  • Bleeding gums and nosebleeds
  • Frequent or long-lasting infections
  • Heavier menstrual periods in women

How is it diagnosed?

A blood count shows that all three types of blood cells are low. A bone marrow biopsy is done for the diagnosis; the marrow has very few cells. Extra tests may be done to rule out inherited causes and other blood diseases.

Treatment and care

Treatment is chosen according to how severe the disease is and the person's age. In children and young people, a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant comes first. If a transplant is not suitable, treatments that suppress the immune system are used. Blood transfusions and preventing infections are supportive treatments. Regular follow-up is important. The doctor who follows the disease decides which treatment is suitable.

For the family: inheritance and genetic counselling

Acquired aplastic anemia is not inherited. It is not passed on from parents and is not passed to children. However, some aplastic anemias are inherited, such as Fanconi anemia. This is why the doctor may look for inherited causes. If an inherited cause is found, genetic counselling is recommended.

Source: MedlinePlus: Aplastic Anemia · NORD: Acquired Aplastic Anemia · Orphanet: Idiopathic aplastic anemia (ORPHA:88)

Key facts

How is it inherited?
Unknown
When does it usually start?
Adulthood
Gene(s) involved
PRF1, SBDS, IFNG, TERT, TERC
Reliable sources
Orphanet

These facts are taken from Orphanet and MedlinePlus records (last checked: October 7, 2026). Frequency values are approximate ranges.

You are not alone: patient associations in Türkiye

Non-profit patient and family organizations in Türkiye working on this disease or disease group. Links are for information; Doktorclub is not affiliated with these organizations and does not endorse them.

We could not find a patient association specific to this disease.

For all rare diseases: Nadir Hastalıklar Federasyonu

Support and help

Doktorclub does not diagnose, recommend treatments or refer you to hospitals or doctors. These pages are meant to help you talk with your doctor.

News about Aplastic anemia

Clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov)

A clinical trial is a regulated study that tests whether a new treatment is safe and whether it works, in patients who volunteer. Most trials look for a certain age, genetic change and health condition. Taking part is voluntary.

This list is not a treatment recommendation. Treatments tested in phase 1–3 trials are investigational (experimental): their efficacy and safety have not yet been proven and they are not approved treatments. Taking part depends on each trial’s criteria and a physician’s assessment; the first step is to talk to the doctor who manages your care.

Questions you can ask your doctor

  • Could this trial be suitable for us?
  • If we take part, how would current treatment and check-ups be affected?
  • Where does the trial take place, and how are travel and accommodation handled?
  • What happens if we want to leave the trial?

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 66 active interventional studies for this disease. 33 are recruiting now; none has a site in Türkiye. Last checked: October 7, 2026.

Selected records (studies with a site in Türkiye first):

See all studies on ClinicalTrials.gov · Joining clinical trials

Blood and immune system diseases: other news

Medical codes (for talking with your doctor and finding sources)

These codes identify the disease in international classifications and databases. They can help when you talk with your doctor or look for reliable sources.

Orphanet code: ORPHA:88 · ICD-11 3A70.12

Codes checked against WHO ICD-11 and Orphanet on October 7, 2026.

This page provides general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your doctor about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

The information on these pages is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment decisions. In an emergency in Türkiye, call 112.

Every update is based on an open source and labeled with its level of evidence. No advertising and no drug brand names. Our scientific principles

This page was translated from Turkish by the Doktorclub editorial team.