Neutropenia is a blood disorder characterized by low levels of neutrophils, which are white blood cells that shield your body from infections. This indicates your body can not fight off bacteria.
Neutrophils are produced by the bone marrow, the substance located in bones that produce cells. After entering your bloodstream, they proceed to infected places where they are absorbed and eliminate bacteria. Reducing the amount of neutrophils in your blood can make it more difficult to fight against illnesses and bacteria.
The following article describes in detail the causes, symptoms, types, and treatment of neutropenia.
What Are The Causes Of Neutropenia?
Neutropenia occurs when your bone marrow does not make enough neutrophils, or when your neutrophils degrade too quickly or when your neutrophils get destroyed. The following are the causes of neutropenia:- Genetic conditions: Genetic disorders which can cause neutropenia can be transferred from parents to their biological children. There are three different types of inherited neutropenia: severe congenital neutropenia, cyclic neutropenia, and benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN).
- Infections: Neutropenia can result from infections by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Among other infections, common causes include HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, dengue fever, sepsis, and Lyme disease.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Neutropenia can result from consuming insufficient amounts of certain vitamins or minerals, such as copper, folate, or vitamin B12.
- Autoimmune deficiencies: Certain autoimmune diseases cause your body to produce antibodies that destroy healthy neutrophils. Autoimmune conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Crohn's disease among others.
- Cancer: Neutropenia can be caused by cancer and other blood and/or bone marrow diseases, such as lymphoma and leukemia, that prevents your body from producing enough healthy white blood cells.
- Certain medications: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer patients can have the unintended consequence of damaging or destroying neutrophils and/or the bone marrow that produces them. Low neutrophil counts can also be brought on by medications for conditions unrelated to cancer.
What Are The Symptoms Of Neutropenia?
In general, neutropenia itself does not cause any symptoms. However, neutropenia doesn’t cause symptoms, but the infections that may arise from having neutropenia can. Neutropenia may also be indicated by recurring infections.Even with mild neutropenia, your body might still be able to fight infections with adequate neutrophils. You might not have any symptoms in that case. Severe stages may exhibit symptoms. Among the symptoms could be:
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Ulcers in mouth
- Ulcers around anus
- Pain, swelling or rashes at the infection site
- Diarrhea
- Burning while urinating, increased urination, or frequent tendency to empty the bladder
What Are The Different Types Of Neutropenia?
Neutropenia can be acute (temporary) or chronic (lasting for more than 3 months). There are 4 main types of neutropenia. They are as follows:- Congenital neutropenia: It is a type of neutropenia present from birth and is mainly seen in babies and young children.
- Idiopathic neutropenia: It is a type of neutropenia with unknown cause and it mainly affects children and adults.
- Cyclic neutropenia: It is a type of neutropenia that generally occurs every 3 weeks and may last 3-6 days or longer and it affects both children and adults, sometimes within the same family. Cyclic neutropenia happens when the rate of cell production in a person's bone marrow fluctuates.
- Autoimmune neutropenia: It is a type of neutropenia which causes the body’s immune system to fight against neutrophils and destroy them. It is commonly seen in infants and children; and occasionally seen in adults aged 20-40 years (especially in women).
- Febrile neutropenia: It is not a type among the 4 main types. Febrile neutropenia is one of the serious side effects for people with cancer who are treated with chemotherapy. When your immune system is impaired or compromised, an oral temperature of greater than 101 F or a fever of at least 100.4 F that lasts an hour or more can be a sign of a dangerous infection.
How Is Neutropenia Diagnosed?
A basic blood test known as a complete blood count (CBC) with differential is the most often performed test. If you're receiving chemotherapy, your doctor will probably order this test frequently to check your neutrophil levels.If your medical professional is confused about the cause of your neutropenia, they might prescribe additional investigations. For example, they might remove a sample of your bone marrow and use a microscope to look at the cells. This test can help your doctor determine whether neutrophils are being eliminated once they are created or whether they are growing abnormally in your bone marrow. Your provider can use this information to establish a diagnosis.
Read Also: What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Tuberculosis?
How Is Neutropenia Treated?
Some types of neutropenia do not require any treatment. The neutropenia treatment depends on the factors that are causing low neutrophil count. The following are the common treatment options for neutropenia:- Antibiotics: If you have a fever and neutropenia (febrile neutropenia), antibiotic therapy may be able to save your life. Your doctor will probably admit you to the hospital, where you will get intravenous (through a vein) antibiotics to treat your infection and have tests performed to rule out any other infections.
- Corticosteroids: If you are suffering from an autoimmune disease, your doctor may recommend corticosteroids. These medications can reduce, or decrease, the immunological reaction in your body that is destroying your neutrophils.
- Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF): Additionally, your doctor may recommend medications that encourage your bone marrow to produce more white blood cells. If you are receiving chemotherapy, you will probably receive G-CSF as well. If your neutropenia is caused as a result of taking certain medications, your doctor will ask you to stop taking the medicine or they will adjust the dose.
- Granulocyte (white blood cell) transfusion: Patients who have received bone marrow transplants or chemotherapy frequently receive this treatment.
- Stem cell transplants: These could help treat certain forms of severe neutropenia, such as those brought on by problems with the bone marrow.
Conclusion
Neutropenia impairs the body's defenses against infections. It is essential that you consult your physician to go over a treatment plan if you have been diagnosed with neutropenia. This could entail taking antibiotics to prevent infections or routinely checking your neutrophil count.Depending on the cause of your low neutrophil count, you may experience different neutropenia symptoms. If a recent infection caused your levels to drop, they will probably rise back to normal after your body has had time to heal. If your neutropenia is the consequence of a long-term illness or chemotherapy, your doctor may frequently check on you to avoid infection-related complications.
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FAQs
Q: What is the cause of febrile neutropenia?A: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is an oncological emergency and serious complication generally arising from chemotherapy. In patients with a weak or completely suppressed immune system, a fever may be the only indication of an underlying infection and immediate treatment is required.
Q: Is neutropenia blood cancer?
A: Blood cancer can result in neutropenia. It can also occur during or following cancer treatments including immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, or other treatments.
Q: Is it bad to have neutropenia?
A: White blood cells known as neutrophils aid the body in the battle against infection. When there are fewer neutrophils in your blood than usual, you have neutropenia. You have a higher risk of getting sick as a result. It's crucial to take additional care to keep yourself safe from infections if you have neutropenia.
