Hematology

Neutropenia

Neutropenia is a significant reduction in neutrophils. A type of white blood cells, neutrophils constitute the first line of defense against infections. The major complication of neutropenia is the increased risk of infection. Neutrophil counts below 2,000 per cubic millimeter are abnormal, caused by decreased neutrophil production or their increased degradation.
The presence of neutrophils is necessary to prevent and limit bacterial infections. In fact, immune deficiency originates from deficient neutrophil counts; therefore, a patient with neutropenia is at higher risk for infections with internal and external origins.
The risk for infection in neutropenic patients is not only a function of the severity of reduction in the neutrophil count, but also of the disease duration, meaning that the risk for infection increases with increased disease durations, even in cases of mild neutropenia.