A Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) is a medical procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. The new marrow can either come from:1. Your own body (Autologous transplant)2. A donor (Allogeneic transplant) Why is BMT Done?To treat conditions where the bone marrow is not functioning properly, such as:1. Blood cancers: Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma2. Bone marrow failure syndromes: Aplastic anemia3. Genetic disorders: Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Anemia4. Immune deficiency disorders🩸 Types of Bone Marrow Transplant1. Autologous BMT: Uses the patient’s own stem cells. Common in cancer treatment.2. Allogeneic BMT: Uses stem cells from a donor (sibling or unrelated match).3. Haploidentical BMT: Uses a half-matched donor (like a parent).4. Umbilical Cord BMT: Stem cells are taken from a baby's umbilical cord after birth.🏥 Steps in BMT Procedure1. Pre-transplant Evaluation2. Conditioning Therapy (high-dose chemo or radiation to destroy diseased cells)3. Stem Cell Infusion (like a blood transfusion)4. Engraftment (stem cells grow and start making healthy blood cells)5. Recovery and Monitoring⚠️ Risks & Complications1. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (in allogeneic BMT)2. Infections3. Organ damage4. Bleeding or anemia5. Relapse of original disease🛡️ Post-Transplant Care1. Isolation initially to prevent infections2. Regular blood tests and checkups3. Immunosuppressants (in case of allogeneic transplant)4. Nutritional support

Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious blood disorder where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells, including:Red blood cells (carry oxygen)White blood cells (fight infections)Platelets (help with blood clotting)This condition can lead to fatigue, infections, and uncontrolled bleeding.Causes of Aplastic Anemia:Autoimmune Reaction – Body attacks its own bone marrow (most common cause).Medications – e.g., chemotherapy, certain antibiotics, NSAIDs.Toxins – e.g., benzene, pesticides, arsenic.Radiation/Chemotherapy – Used for cancer treatment.Viral Infections – e.g., hepatitis, HIV, EBV, parvovirus B19.Inherited Disorders – e.g., Fanconi anemia (seen in children).Idiopathic – No identifiable cause (most common cause).Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia:Due to pancytopenia (deficiency of all 3 blood cell types):Low red cells (anemia):FatiguePale skinShortness of breathLow white cells (leukopenia):Frequent infectionsFeverLow platelets (thrombocytopenia):Easy bruisingBleeding gums or noseProlonged bleeding from cutsDiagnosis:Complete Blood Count (CBC):Shows low red cells, white cells, and plateletsBone Marrow Biopsy:Shows hypocellular marrow (empty or fatty bone marrow)Other tests:Viral screening (hepatitis, HIV)Genetic testing like Next generation sequencing (for inherited causes)Blood tests for autoimmune markersTreatment:Depends on severity and cause:🩺 Supportive Care:Blood transfusions (RBCs, platelets)Antibiotics for infections💉 Medications:Immunosuppressants (e.g., antithymocyte globulin - ATG, cyclosporine)SteroidsEltrombopag/Romiplostim (stimulates bone marrow)🧬 Curative Treatments:Bone marrow or stem cell transplantBest option for young patients with a matched donor

Von Willebrand Disease is a genetic bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (VWF) — a protein essential for blood clotting. VWF helps platelets stick together and attach to blood vessel walls to stop bleeding.Types of Von Willebrand Disease:Type 1 (Mild, Most Common)Partial deficiency of VWFMilder bleeding symptomsType 2 (Moderate, Several Subtypes)VWF is present but doesn't function properlySubtypes: 2A, 2B, 2M, 2NType 3 (Severe, Rare)Little or no VWFSevere bleeding problemsCauses:Inherited from one or both parents (most often autosomal dominant)Rarely, it can be acquired later in life due to autoimmune or other medical conditionsSymptoms:Frequent nosebleedsEasy bruisingHeavy or prolonged menstrual bleedingExcessive bleeding after surgery or dental workBlood in urine or stool (less common)Prolonged bleeding from minor woundsDiagnosis:Bleeding history and family historyBlood tests, including:Von Willebrand factor antigenRistocetin cofactor activityFactor VIII levelsPlatelet function testsTreatment Options:Desmopressin (DDAVP):Stimulates release of VWF from body storesEffective in mild Type 1 and some Type 2 casesVWF Replacement Therapy:Plasma-derived concentrates containing VWF and factor VIIIAntifibrinolytics (e.g., tranexamic acid):Help prevent clot breakdown, especially in mucosal bleedingHormonal Therapy (in women):Birth control pills to control heavy menstrual bleeding