| Definition |
Decreased absolute neutrophil count (ANC) |
Severe decrease or absence of neutrophils in the blood |
| Neutrophil Count |
ANC below normal reference range |
ANC critically low or near-zero |
| Etiology |
Drug-induced, autoimmune disorders, viral infections, bone marrow disorders |
Drug-induced (particularly certain medications), autoimmune disorders, bone marrow disorders |
| Severity |
Mild to severe |
Severe |
| Risk of Infection |
Increased susceptibility to bacterial infections |
Markedly increased risk of severe bacterial infections |
| Symptoms |
Usually asymptomatic or mild symptoms |
Symptoms may include fever, severe sore throat, mouth ulcers, infections |
| Diagnostic Criteria |
ANC <1,500 cells/mm³ (in adults) |
ANC <500 cells/mm³ (in adults) |
| Duration |
Can be temporary or chronic |
Usually acute and requires immediate attention |
| Treatment |
Treatment of underlying cause, management of infection risk (antibiotics, growth factors) |
Discontinue causative medications, administration of growth factors, antibiotic therapy, hospitalization |
| Prognosis |
Depends on the underlying cause and severity |
Guarded to poor, but outcomes vary |
| Monitoring |
Regular blood tests to assess ANC and monitor for infections |
Frequent blood tests, close monitoring for signs of infection |
| Complications |
Increased risk of bacterial infections |
Life-threatening infections, sepsis |
| Precautions for Patients |
Hand hygiene, infection prevention measures |
Strict infection control, avoidance of certain medications |
| Bone Marrow Examination |
May show normal or decreased neutrophil precursors |
Absence of mature neutrophils in bone marrow |
Biology Ease Staff asked 10 months ago