When the stem cells contained in the bone marrow fail to produce blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) that will replace old ones, aplastic anemia will develop sooner or later. Blood cell production failure often occurs when the bone marrow is damaged.

Aplastic anemia is a rare but fatal illness. Each year in the United States, about 1,000 patients are diagnosed. This number is larger in Asian countries where the disease is very common.

Prevention is not possible in most cases. If you're asking: what can cause aplastic anemia? As mentioned above, there are so many factors and one way is to avoid exposure to environmental toxins like benzene. This toxic chemical is used as base compound to many commercial products like gasoline and rubber.

Here are some of the common factors that may injure the red and spongy material found in the cavity of some the bones inside the body:

• Exposure to environmental toxins and poisonous chemicals. Benzene, often found in gasoline, and insecticides and pesticides are linked to development of secondary aplastic anemia.

• Exposure to high dose of radiation and treatment by chemotherapy. One of the side effects to these cancer therapies is a temporary injury to the bone marrow. When left untreated, the condition may worsen though.

• Use of some antibiotics and other drugs. Medications used for rheumatoid arthritis may potentially cause the disease.
• Disorders in the immune system. Lupus is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks healthy cells like the stem cells inside the bone marrow.

• Infection caused by virus. Some viral infections affect the bone marrow severely.
• Pregnancy. During gestating period, an autoimmune disorder may occur.
• Cases of idiopathic aplastic anemia are caused by unidentifiable factors.

Types of treatment depend on the different state of the disease. Mild and moderate states are considered serious but do not necessarily need hospitalization during treatment. Immediate medical attention is required to severe state of the disease because the extremely low blood cell count is fatal.

Options for treatment may include: blood transfusions, medications, and bone marrow transplantation.