Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA)

Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA) is a blood condition, present at birth, which is characterised by a failure of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Unlike other types of anemia, DBA is a bone marrow failure syndrome. Symptoms of DBA largely include the side effects of anemia: pale skin, decreased energy/sleepiness, difficulty with breathing, and tiring during feeding in infants. Physical characteristics such as short stature, head, face, neck, and thumb malformations are found in 25%-30% of patients. Treatment includes steroid therapy, red blood cell transfusions; the only cure is a Bone Marrow Transplant.