Fanconi Anemia in Children
Overview
Fanconi anemia is a blood disorder.
With this condition, the bone marrow doesn't make enough blood cells. Or it makes
defective blood cells.
Bone marrow is the spongy material inside bones. It makes white and red blood cells,
and platelets.
-
Red
blood cells
carry oxygen through the body.
-
White
blood cells
help fight infection.
-
Platelets help with clotting.
All these cells die after a certain amount of time. They constantly need to be replaced.
Fanconi anemia is a very rare
genetic condition. That means it runs in families. It's passed from parents to children.
The condition can affect your child's whole body. It can cause physical problems,
failure of the bone marrow, and organ defects. It also increases the chance of getting
some cancers, especially of the blood (leukemia).
Causes
Defects in at least 15 genes have been linked to the disease.
Risk Factors
People that have higher risk for
Fanconi anemia include:
- Ashkenazi or Eastern European Jews
- Afrikaners or Black South
Africans
- Romanis from Spain
Symptoms
Your child's symptoms may
include:
-
Bone marrow related symptoms.These may include severe tiredness (fatigue), frequent infections, and bleeding
problems.
-
Physical abnormalities.These may affect the skin, bones, kidneys, gastrointestinal system, brain,
spinal cord, eyes, ears, and the reproductive systems.
As an infant, your child may have many signs including:
- Irregular skin coloring
- Shorter than normal
- Abnormal thumbs or forearms
- Increased fluid in the brain
(hydrocephaly)
- A small head
- Abnormally shaped eyes or ears
- Kidney problems
- Heart problems that are present at
birth (congenital heart defects)
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Fanconi anemia is
difficult, and confirming the diagnosis can be complicated. because the signs of Fanconi
anemia may be found in other conditions. About 1 in 4 babies don’t have physical signs.
More tests may be done on a child with other health problems. Your child's healthcare
provider will refer you to a blood specialist called a hematologist, or to a geneticist.
These experts will have experience in diagnosing Fanconi anemia. A diagnosis
includes:
- Health history including past health
problems and growth and development progress
- Physical exam
- Family history, including others with
symptoms of Fanconi anemia and whether or not the family is part of one of the
high-risk groups
Your child may have tests such as:
-
Hemoglobin and
hematocrit.
This is a blood test that measures the amount of hemoglobin
(the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen) and red blood cells in the
blood.
-
Complete blood count
(CBC).
A complete blood count checks the red and white blood cells, blood
clotting cells (platelets), and sometimes, young red blood cells (reticulocytes). It
includes hemoglobin and hematocrit and more details about the red blood cells.
-
Peripheral smear. A
small sample of blood is checked under a microscope. Blood cells are checked to see
if they look normal or not.
-
Blood tests of genes and
chromosomes.
Blood samples are taken and checked for abnormal genes and
chromosomes. This is a test called a chromosomal breakage assay.
-
Bone marrow tests. Samples of
bone marrow are taken and checked for decreased and abnormal blood cells.
Treatment
Treatment of Fanconi anemia may
require many different medical specialists. Your child will get treatment based on
their
symptoms. Stem cell transplants offer the only cure for Fanconi anemia. Treatment
may
also include:
-
Blood transfusions. This
is done for low blood counts.
-
Medicines. This is done
for low blood counts, infections, and other problems.
-
Surgery.This may be done to correct malformed bones, for instance.
Complications
Fanconi anemia may lead to:
- Delayed growth or development
- Certain cancers, such as leukemia,
cancers of the head and neck, and cancers of the female reproductive system
- Trouble getting pregnant (female and male infertility)
- Hearing loss
- Anemia, low red blood cell counts
- Infections
- Bleeding problems
- Gastrointestinal system and nutrition problems
- Blood sugar (glucose) and insulin problems
- Decreased life span
Living with
Your child will be watched very
closely. They'll have:
- Frequent physical exams and lab and other diagnostic tests
- More frequent screenings for cancer
- Genetic counseling, for you, your child, and other brothers and sisters. This is very
important before any pregnancy.
- Special safety steps to take with
medicines and diagnostic tests or treatments with X-ray or radiation
Fanconi anemia is a lifelong
disease that can be life-threatening. Work with your child’s healthcare provider to
create a treatment plan for your child that can help them live as normal a life as
possible. To do this:
- Work closely with your child’s school
so that your child gets what's needed. Your child may qualify for special programs
under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
- You and your family may get counseling or attend support groups. This can help you
deal with a life-threatening disease.
- Think about working with a social worker to get support, including financial support.
- Remember to also pay attention to other children in the family.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
You know your child better than
anyone else. If you're in doubt or if you have questions or concerns, contact your
child’s provider.
Also, work closely with your
child's provider to know what to report. It depends on your child's age, treatment,
and
other factors. For instance, your child's provider will tell you what to watch for
if
your child has had a stem cell transplant. Or if your child is taking a certain
medicine, the provider will tell you what side effects may occur.
Key Points
- Fanconi anemia is a very rare genetic condition.
- A child with this condition may have physical abnormalities, bone marrow failure,
organ defects, and a higher chance of developing some cancers.
- Treatment may require many different medical specialists.
- Stem cell transplants offer the only cure for Fanconi anemia.
- Close monitoring, frequent exams including cancer screenings, and genetic counseling
are important parts of care.
Next Steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
- Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
- Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
- At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments,
or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
- Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child.
Also know what the side effects are.
- Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
- Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
- Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
- If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose
for that visit.
- Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important
if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.