Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Aplastic crisis
Introduction
Reticulocytopenia, also called “aplastic crisis”, is a disease when there is an abnormal decrease in the reticulocytes in the body. Reticulocytopenia can originate from congenital hemolytic anemia, especially when exacerbated by Parvovirus B19 infection. Can occur with Sickle Cell Anemia, where hemoglobin levels fall rapidly and the marrow cannot compensate, causing abscence of reticulocytes. Reticulocytes are immature erythrocytes.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]