AETIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF ACQUIRED APLASTIC ANAEMIA

Authors

  • Saqib Malik
  • Iram Sarwar
  • Tariq Mehmood
  • Farhat Naz

Abstract

Background: Acquired aplastic anaemia is one of the important causes of pancytopenia. This studywas conducted to observe the mode of presentation of acquired aplastic anaemia and to find out itspossible etiological factors. Methods: It is a hospital based descriptive study of 100 patients ofacquired aplastic anaemia. Results: Out of 100 patients 60 were male and 40 female. Majority (44%)of the patients were between 12–20 years of age. Patient presented with variable symptoms majority(40%) with fever. Most of the patients had haemoglobin levels between 4–6 gm/dl. (53%). Seventypercent of the cases had no obvious cause, while in 30% some known causative factors were found.Chloramphenicol was found to be the most common causative drug. Mortality was 35%. Thirtypatients were partially treated and 15 were lost to follow up. Twenty patients showed improvementwith treatment. Conclusions: Acquired aplastic anaemia is common among males and moreprevalent in younger age group. It is idiopathic in 70% cases while 30% had some cause. It has veryhigh mortality. Doctors need to keep in mind this fatal condition in patients presenting with anaemiaand should properly investigate before prescribing antibiotics and haematinics.Keywords: Aplstic anaemia pancytopenia, bone marrow suppression

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Published

2009-09-01

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