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What is neutropenia?
21 November 2025
Neutropenia is a condition characterized by a low count of white blood cells called neutrophils. Neutrophils are responsible for protecting the body against germs that cause infections. This condition is often a side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which lower the body’s defenses and increase the risk of severe infections.
Neutropenia affects both children and adults. Clinical studies suggest its onset can be due to one of the following reasons, though sometimes the cause is unknown:
- Hereditary factors.
- Disorders or failures in bone marrow function.
- Worsening infections.
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
Neutropenia is classified as:
- Congenital: Present at birth.
- Clinical: May come and go.
Signs and symptoms Neutropenia
Symptoms depend on the type of infection, but they typically include:
- Ear pain.
- Redness around a cut.
- Chills.
- Tremors.
- Episodes of diarrhea.
- Trouble breathing.
- High temperature or fever.
Diagnosis and treatment Neutropenia
In addition to analyzing symptoms and reviewing your medical history, a doctor will perform a physical exam and order a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:
- Infection detection tests.
- Complete blood count (CBC).
- Genetic tests.
- Bone marrow biopsy.
Treatment for neutropenia depends on the cause, severity, and overall health, but it often includes:
- Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) injections to force the bone marrow to produce more neutrophils.
- Steroid intake to prevent the immune system from attacking neutrophils.
- Surgical removal of the spleen if this organ is causing the destruction of neutrophils.
- White blood cell transfusions.
- Stem cell transplantation.
Although neutropenia itself can’t be prevented, you can reduce the risk of contracting an infection when your white blood cell count is low.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Department of Internal Medicine, we provide high-quality, safe medical care, from prevention and diagnosis to timely treatment and follow-up for a wide range of infectious, respiratory, endocrine, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological conditions. We treat both chronic-degenerative and acute conditions using a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.
Related centers and departments Neutropenia
Fuentes:
- cancer.org
- cancer.net
- cigna.com
- elsevier.es
- kidshealth.org
- msdmanuals.com
- medlineplus.gov
- mayoclinic.org
- medigraphic.com
- Martínez SLM, Gálvez CKM, Pamplona SAP, et al. Neutropenia febril en pacientes con malignidades hematológicas que reciben quimioterapia. Enf Infec Microbiol. 2022;42(3):101-105.
- Rodríguez PM, Paneque PMO, González PJ. Importancia del mapa microbiológico en el tratamiento antibiótico empírico de pacientes hematológicos con neutropenia febril. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter. 2021;37(2):1-5.
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The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.
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