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Causes of aplastic anemia
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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The cause of aplastic anemia is still not fully understood. There are exogenous and endogenous etiological factors in the development of aplastic anemia. Exogenous factors play a priority role in the development of the disease, including physical effects, chemicals (primarily drugs), infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, fungi). Of the endogenous factors that suppress hematopoiesis, the most significant are hereditary and genetic disorders, changes in hormonal status in pathology of the thyroid gland, ovaries, thymus, systemic diseases of connective tissue, stress, and trauma. However, in the vast majority of patients (up to 80%), the etiology of the disease remains unknown. Environmental changes (emissions of toxic substances into the atmosphere, insufficient capacity of treatment facilities, etc.) may also have a certain significance in the development of aplastic anemia.
Etiological factors in aplastic anemia
Exogenous factors |
Endogenous factors |
I. Physical.
II Chemical 1. Myelotoxic substances:
2. Medicines:
III. Infectious 1. Viruses
2. Bacteria
3. Mushrooms |
I. Hereditary and genetic disorders II. Dysfunction of the endocrine glands:
III. Systemic diseases of connective tissue:
IV. Pregnancy V. Stress VI. Injuries VII. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria VIII. Nutritional disorders:
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