Bone marrow failure occurs in individuals who produce an insufficient amount of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. Red blood cells transport oxygen to be distributed throughout the bodys tissue. White blood cells fight off infections that enter the body. Bone marrow also contains platelets, which trigger clotting, and thus help stop the blood flow when a wound occurs. Signs and symptoms
The two most common signs and symptoms of bone marrow failure are bleeding and bruising. Blood may be seen throughout the gums, nose or the skin, and tend to last longer than normal. Children have a bigger chance of seeing blood in their urine or stools, which results in digestive problems with an unpleasant scent. Individuals with this condition may also encounter tooth loss or tooth decay. Chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, and recurrent colds can also be symptoms of bone marrow failure. Causes
Bone marrow failure in both children and adults can be either inherited or acquired. Inherited bone marrow failure is often the cause in young children, while older children and adults may acquire the disease later in life. A maturation defect in genes is a common cause of inherited bone marrow failure. The most common cause of acquired bone marrow failure is aplastic anemia. Working with chemicals such as benzene could be a factor in causing the illness. Other factors include radiation or chemotherapy treatments, and immune system problems. Diagnosis
Treatment
The type of treatment depends on the severity of the patients bone marrow failure disease. Blood transfusion is one treatment.
In case of emergency, plasmapheresis may be tried
In PAN associated with a hepatitis virus: combination therapy of prednisone along with a virustatic, such as lamivudine (Hepatitis B) or interferon-alpha and ribavirin (Hepatitis C)

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
Symptoms
Men are affected twice as often as women
Compression of structures surrounding the nose and paranasal sinuses
Diabetes insipidus
Abnormal protrusion of the eyeball(s)
Nonseptic meningitis
Affection of the lung and kidney due to destruction of the arteries and veins
Ischemic stroke, hemorrhages, or encephalopathy with possible seizures

Diagnostic Criteria
Two or more of the following four criteria are required:

Necrotizing ulcerating inflammation of nose, sinuses, mouth or pharynx
Irregular lung infiltrates
Nephritis
Granulomatous vascular and perivascular inflammation

Treatment Therapy
Corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisolone)
Cyclophosphamide
Azathioprine
Mycophenolate mofetil

References


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