How I diagnose and treat neutropenia.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Neutropenia absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 1.5 × 10(9)/l is a common hematological finding, and severe neutropenia, that is, ANC less than 0.5 × 10(9)/l is a well known risk factor for susceptibility to bacterial infections. This review provides a succinct clinical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of neutropenia with specific recommendations on the treatment of severe chronic neutropenia with the myeloid growth factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

RECENT FINDINGS:

Experts agree that patients with acute febrile neutropenia should be treated with antibiotics and that patients at high risk of severe neutropenia (>20% risk) after myelosuppressive chemotherapy should be treated prophylactically with a myeloid growth factor, usually G-CSF. The diversity of causes and consequences of chronic neutropenia make the diagnosis and management of these patients more complicated.

SUMMARY:

The review provides a stepwise approach to neutropenia focusing first on reaching a provisional diagnosis and treatment plan then steps to a final diagnosis. It also provides specific recommendations on the treatment of severe chronic neutropenia with G-CSF.

• Authors: David C Dale
• Journal: Current opinion in hematology (Curr Opin Hematol) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 1-4 (Jan 2016) ISSN: 1531-7048 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26554885 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Humans
• Neutropenia (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)