22nd May 2023

Causes of aplastic anaemia

The aetiology of aplastic anaemia is idiopathic in over 50% of cases but is thought to be immune-mediated. Other aetiologies that have been linked to aplastic anaemia include:

• Congenital – e.g. Fanconi anaemia, dyskeratosis congenita, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome
• Drugs – e.g. NSAIDs, chloramphenicol, carbamazepine, propylthiouracil
• Toxins – e.g. insecticides
• Viruses – parvovirus B19, hepatitis, EBV, CMV, HIV
• Ionising radiation
• Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria