What is the difference between Sickle Cell Anaemia and Aplastic anemia?

  • The major difference between the two is that while Aplastic anemia is non-genetic, Sickle Cell Anaemia is a genetic disease.
  • Sickle Cell Anemia is a autosomal recessive genetic blood disorder that results in formation of Red blood cells (RBC) in shape of sickles which results in a variety of complications such as blocked blood flow, reduced longevity of RBCs etc.
  • The disease is widely prevalent among tribals in India, especially in areas where malaria is rampant, and is a life-long condition  once inherited as there is no cure as yet. India and Japan are now exploring signing of an agreement to collaborate resources to fight the disease.
  • Aplastic anaemia is a condition where bone marrow does not produce sufficient new cells to replenish blood cells. The condition, per its name, involves both aplasia and anemia. Typically, anemia refers to low red blood cell counts, but Aplastic anemia patients have lower counts of all three blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, termed pancytopenia.

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