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Fanconi's anemia

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Definition:

Fanconi's anemia is an inherited disease that mainly affects the bone marrow. It results in decreased production of all types of blood cells. Fanconi's anemia is different from Fanconi's syndrome , a rare kidney disorder in which a person loses nutrients through the urine.

Alternative Names:

Anemia - Fanconi's; FA

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

To inherit Fanconi's anemia, a person must get one copy of the abnormal gene from each parent. The condition occurs in all racial and ethnic groups. It is usually diagnosed when a person is between 2 and 15 years old.

The disease is caused by a genetic defect. This defect prevents cells from fixing damaged DNA or removing toxic substances called oxygen-free radicals that damage cells. People with certain birth defects or who develop low blood counts may have this disease.

• Review Date: 4/27/2007
• Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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