Neutropenia is a condition in which the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the bloodstream is decreased, affecting the body's ability to fight off infections. Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of neutropenia, and the factors that can increase or decrease the risk of developing it. Neutropenia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low number of neutrophils, which are granulated leukocytes crucial for the initial immune response to inflammation and infection. Neutrophils ingest, kill, and digest invading microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Neutropenia, or a state of low neutrophils, in itself has a wide differential that includes a primary disorder of production in the bone marrow, genetic deficiency, and cyclical deficiency. Additional causes of primary neutropenia include malignant disorders of marrow failure, such as leukopenia, or infiltrative hematologic neoplasms, such as high-grade lymphoma. Neutropenia can also be secondary to marrow extrinsic causes, including autoimmune diseases, cytotoxic chemotherapy, or ... Neutropenia is a condition with low neutrophil count in the blood, which can make it harder to fight infections. Learn about the types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of neutropenia.
