Reticulocytopenia

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Reticulocytopenia, or "aplastic crisis", is the medical term for an abnormal decrease of reticulocytes in the body. Reticulocytopenia can originate from congenital hemolytic anemia, especially when exacerbated by Parvovirus B19 infection. Can occur with Sickle Cell Anemia and Spherocytosis, where hemoglobin levels fall rapidly and the marrow cannot compensate, causing absence of reticulocytes. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells. <----Hereditary spherocytosis causes hemolysis, which leads to reticulocytosis, not a decrease in reticulocytes. There is no problem with the bone marrow, as with aplastic anemia, therefore the bone marrow does compensate by producing more immature red blood cells (to counteract the decrease in mature red blood cells).

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