Bone marrow is a soft tissue inside the body's bones. Within this tissue are special cells called stem cells. Show
Your body uses stem cells to make:
All of these blood cells are vital to your health. When bone marrow doesn't make enough of these cells, doctors call it bone marrow failure. Bone marrow failure might also produce damaged cells. Contact the Bone Marrow Failure Disorders Program
What Are Bone Marrow Failure Disorders?Bone marrow failure disorders are a group of conditions. In other words, there is more than one type of bone marrow failure disorder. Some types are genetic, meaning parents pass them to their children through genes. Also known as inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, they are more common in children. Acquired bone marrow failure disorders come from:
Types of Bone Marrow Failure DisordersBone marrow failure disorders are rare diseases. Our experts at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh treat a range of genetic and acquired bone marrow failure disorders:
Complications of Bone Marrow Failure DisordersChildren with bone marrow failure disorders are at risk of certain cancers:
Bone Marrow Failure Disorder SymptomsSince there are many types of bone marrow failure disorders, symptoms vary. Some symptoms your child might have include:
Talk with your doctor if you notice changes in your child or have concerns about something you see. Diagnosing Bone Marrow Failure DisordersBone marrow failure disorders are rare. To make a diagnosis, doctors gather data and use certain tests such as:
Talk with your doctor about any new symptoms or changes you've noticed in your child. You know your child best and anything you share helps. Bone Marrow Failure Disorders TreatmentHow doctors treat your child's bone marrow failure disorder depends on the type your child has. Our experts in the Bone Marrow Failure Disorders Program work with you and your family to manage your child's care. Treatments for bone marrow failure might include:
Your care team will talk with you about which treatments are right for your child. Your Child's Bone Marrow Failure Consult and CareWhat to ExpectYou can count on our doctors to partner with you and your family in managing your child's illness. Doctors in the Bone Marrow Failure Disorders Program work with experts in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division and the Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapies Program. Our team approach means your child will get care from the region's top experts in treating bone marrow failure disorders. Our membership in the North American Pediatric Aplastic Anemia Consortium gives us access to clinical trials with the newest tests and treatments. When you come for your first visit, you will:
Learn More About Bone Marrow Failure Disorders
What causes bone marrow to stop producing blood cells?The most common cause of aplastic anemia is from your immune system attacking the stem cells in your bone marrow. Other factors that can injure bone marrow and affect blood cell production include: Radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
What causes bone marrow disease?Causes of bone marrow diseases include genetics and environmental factors. Tests for bone marrow diseases include blood and bone marrow tests. Treatments depend on the disorder and how severe it is. They might involve medicines, blood transfusions or a bone marrow transplant.
Which term describes the production of blood cells in the bone marrow?The formation of red blood cells in blood-forming tissue. In the early development of a fetus, erythropoiesis takes place in the yolk sac, spleen, and liver. After birth, all erythropoiesis occurs in the bone marrow.
What medical term means a blood disorder characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements?The term aplastic is a Greek word meaning not to form. Anemia is a condition that happens when red blood cell count is low. Most scientists believe that aplastic anemia happens when the immune system attacks the bone marrow stem cells .
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