Etymology
Aplastic is a combination of two ancient Greek elements: a- (meaning "not") and -plasis ("forming into a shape"). Anemia is a combination of the ancient Greek element an- ("not") and -emia (new Latin from the Greek -(h)aimia, meaning "blood"). Epidemiology
Aplastic anemia is a rare, noncancerous disorder in which the blood marrow is unable to adequately produce blood cells required for survival. It is estimated that the incidence of aplastic anemia is 0.7–4.1 cases per million people worldwide, with the prevalence between men and women being approximately equal. The incidence rate of aplastic anemia in Asia is 2–3 times higher than it is in the West; the incidence in the United States is 300–900 cases per year. The disease most commonly affects adults aged 15–25 and over the age of 60, but it can be observed in all age groups.The disease is usually acquired during life and not inherited. Acquired cases are often linked to environmental exposures such as chemicals, drugs, and infectious agents that damage the bone marrow and compromise its ability to generate new blood cells. However, in many instances the underlying cause for the disease is not found. This is referred to as idiopathic aplastic anemia and accounts for 75% of cases. This compromises the effectiveness of treatment since treatment of the disease is often aimed at the underlying cause.Those with a higher risk for aplastic anemia include individuals who are exposed to high-dose radiation or toxic chemicals, take certain prescription drugs, have pre-existing autoimmune disorders or blood diseases, or are pregnant.
No screening test currently exists for early detection of aplastic anemia. Notable cases
Marie Curie
Eleanor Roosevelt
Donny Schmit
Ted DeVita
Demetrio Stratos
John Dill (British Field Marshal)
Robert McFall (asbestos worker from Pittsburgh who unsuccessfully sued his cousin for a transfusion of bone marrow)

See also
Fanconi anemia
Acquired pure red cell aplasia

References
External links
Mayo Clinic
MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: 000554—Idiopathic aplastic anemia