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Fanconi anemia is an inherited disease caused by mutations in certain genes, known as FA genes. These genes provide instructions to help the body repair certain types of DNA damage. The cells of healthy people often repair DNA damage, but cells affected by Fanconi anemia cannot make these repairs. In people who have Fanconi anemia, certain cells may die or stop working properly.
You may be screened for Fanconi anemia based on your signs and symptoms or if you have a close relative who has Fanconi anemia. Most often, signs and symptoms of Fanconi anemia appear at birth or early in childhood, between 5 and 10 years of age. Children may have delayed growth and development, including delayed puberty or anemia symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and bruising easily.
Fanconi anemia can lead to serious complications such as bone marrow failure, which happens when the bone marrow stops making as many blood cells. This can lead to low blood cell counts or severe aplastic anemia. Cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are other possible complications of Fanconi anemia.
To diagnose Fanconi anemia, your or your child’s doctor may look for dark spots on the skin called café au lait spots. The most common test for Fanconi anemia is a blood test called a chromosomal breakage test. Treatment for Fanconi anemia depends on your age and how well your bone marrow is making new blood cells. Treatment may include a blood and bone marrow transplant, blood transfusions, or medicine to help your body make more red blood cells. Researchers are also studying new and promising treatments for Fanconi anemia, including genetic therapies. If diagnosed with Fanconi anemia, you or your child will benefit from lifelong monitoring, which may include regular blood and bone marrow tests and making healthy lifestyle changes to manage complications.
Visit Fanconi anemia for more information about this topic.
The NHLBI is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (NIH)—the Nation’s biomedical research agency that makes important scientific discovery to improve health and save lives. We are committed to advancing science and translating discoveries into clinical practice to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders including Fanconi anemia. Learn about the current and future NHLBI efforts to improve health through research and scientific discovery.
Learn about the following ways the NHLBI continues to translate current research into improved health for people who have Fanconi anemia. Research on this topic is part of the NHLBI’s broader commitment to advancing blood disorders and blood safety scientific discovery.
Learn about some of the pioneering research contributions we have made over the years that have improved clinical care.
In support of our mission, we are committed to advancing Fanconi anemia research, in part through the following ways.
Learn about exciting research areas the NHLBI is exploring about Fanconi anemia.
We lead or sponsor many studies relevant to Fanconi anemia. See if you or someone you know is eligible to participate in our clinical trials.
To learn more about clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center or to talk to someone about a study that might fit your needs, call the Office of Patient Recruitment 800-411-1222.
Learn more about participating in a clinical trial.
View all trials from ClinicalTrials.gov.
After reading our Fanconi Anemia Health Topic, you may be interested in additional information found in the following resources.