Aplastic anemia is marrow suppression due to multiple causes; which of the following lists these causes?

• A. Nutrition deficiency.
• B. Genetic factors.
• C. Environmental toxins.
• D. Drugs and/or chemicals; Radiation; Infection and metabolic disorders.

Answer: (D)

Bone marrow suppression can result from a variety of insults that damage the hematopoietic stem cells or the marrow environment. The most complete description of these causes includes drugs and/or chemicals, radiation, infections, and metabolic disorders. These factors cover direct toxic effects from medications or toxins, the damaging effects of radiation, infectious processes that impair marrow function, and metabolic disturbances that disrupt hematopoiesis. While nutritional deficiencies or genetic factors can contribute in some cases, they don’t alone encompass the broad range of etiologies typically seen. That broader, multi-category list best represents the causes of marrow suppression.