Blood Disorders
What Is Sickle Cell Anemia?
Sickle cell anemia (uh-NEE-me-uh) is the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is a serious disorder in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells. “Sickle-shaped” means that the red blood cells are shaped like a crescent. Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the... »
What is Fanconi Anemia?
Fanconi anemia (fan-KO-nee uh-NEE-me-uh), or FA, is a rare, inherited blood disorder that leads to bone marrow failure. FA prevents your bone marrow from making enough new blood cells for your body to work normally. FA also can cause your bone marrow to make many abnormal blood cells. This can lead to serious health... »
Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia (a-PLAS-tik uh-NEE-me-uh) is a blood disorder in which the body’s bone marrow doesn’t make enough new blood cells. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue inside the bones. It makes stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (PLATE-lets). Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of... »
Anemia Overview
Anemia (uh-NEE-me-uh) is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells. Anemia also can occur if your red blood cells don’t contain enough hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. This protein helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the... »
Causes of Hemophilia
If you have inherited hemophilia, you’re born with the condition. It’s caused by a defect in one of the genes that determine how the body makes blood clotting factor VIII or IX. These genes are located on the X chromosomes (KRO-muh-somz). Chromosomes come in pairs. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one... »
More Info: Blood and Marrow Transplant
Who Needs a Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant? Your doctor may recommend a blood and marrow stem cell transplant if you have a disease or condition that prevents your body from making enough healthy blood cells. Examples of such diseases and conditions include: Some cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and breast cancer... »
Treatment for Anemia
Treatment for anemia depends on the type, cause, and severity of the condition. Treatments may include dietary changes or supplements, medicines, or procedures. Goals of Treatment The goal of treatment is to increase the amount of oxygen that your blood can carry. This is done by raising the red blood cell count and/or hemoglobin... »
What is von Willebrand Disease?
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder. It affects your blood’s ability to clot. If your blood doesn’t clot, you can have heavy, hard-to-stop bleeding after an injury. The bleeding can damage your internal organs or even cause death, although this is rare. In VWD, you either have low levels of a certain... »
What Are Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis?
Thrombocythemia (THROM-bo-si-THE-me-ah) and thrombocytosis (THROM-bo-si-TO-sis) are conditions in which your blood has a higher than normal number of platelets (PLATE-lets). Platelets are blood cell fragments. They’re made in your bone marrow along with other kinds of blood cells. Platelets travel through your blood vessels and stick together (clot) to stop any bleeding that could... »
Rh Incompatibility During Pregnancy
Rh incompatibility is a condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman has Rh-negative blood and her baby has Rh-positive blood. “Rh-negative” and “Rh-positive” refer to whether your blood has Rh factor. Rh factor is a protein on red blood cells. If you have Rh factor, you’re Rh-positive. If you don’t have it, you’re... »