Hemostasis Today
NewsFeed
Headlines Hematology Health Medicine VTE ASH Plasma Donation
Abdul Mannan: Does Pregnancy Cause Aplastic Anaemia?
Abdul Mannan/LinkedIn
May 15, 2026, 09:26

Abdul Mannan: Does Pregnancy Cause Aplastic Anaemia?

Abdul Mannan, Consultant Haematologist at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, shared a post on LinkedIn:

”Does pregnancy cause aplastic anaemia?

Honest answer: we don’t actually know.

We’ve been assuming a causal link for decades.

But the evidence tells a more careful story, and I think we owe it to our patients to be precise about this.

Here’s what the data actually supports vs. what we assume:

What we have observed:

  • Aplastic anaemia can relapse during pregnancy
  • Counts may actually improve postpartum in some cases
  • Successful delivery is possible with the right MDT support
  • PNH clone expansion adds real clinical risk

What remains unproven:

  • No prospective studies have measured AA incidence in pregnant vs. non-pregnant populations
  • The hormonal trigger is theoretical, not confirmed
  • Almost all evidence is retrospective

The T-cell mechanism we teach?

It is inferred, not directly demonstrated

The most honest interpretation: pregnancy may unmask or worsen immune-mediated marrow failure in patients who were already susceptible.

That distinction matters clinically.

It changes how we counsel women before and during pregnancy.

It changes the weight we give to risk.

Correlation is recognised. Causality remains unproven.”

Abdul Mannan: Does Pregnancy Cause Aplastic Anaemia?

Other posts featuring Abdul Mannan on Hemostasis Today.

Abdul Mannan Aplastic Anaemia Health Hematology Hemostasis News Hemostasis Today Medicine Pregnancy
NewsFeed