Learn About Infantile Neutropenia
Neutropenia is an abnormally low number of white blood cells. These cells are called neutrophils. They help the body fight infection. This article discusses neutropenia in newborns. Neutropenia can occur at any age.
White blood cells (WBCs) are produced in the bone marrow. They are released into the bloodstream and travel wherever they are needed. Low levels of neutrophils occur when the bone marrow cannot replace them as fast as needed.
In babies, the most common cause is infection. A very severe infection may cause neutrophils to be used up quickly. It may also prevent the bone marrow from producing more neutrophils.
Sometimes, an infant who is not sick will have a low neutrophil count for no obvious reason. Some disorders in the pregnant mother, such as preeclampsia, can also lead to neutropenia in infants.
In rare cases, mothers may have antibodies against their baby's neutrophils. These antibodies cross the placenta before birth and cause the baby's cells to break down (alloimmune neutropenia). In other rare cases, a problem with the baby's bone marrow may lead to decreased WBC production.
The source of any infection should be found and treated.
In many cases, neutropenia goes away on its own as the bone marrow recovers and begins to produce enough WBCs.
In rare cases when the neutrophil count is low enough to be life threatening, the following treatments may be recommended:
- Medicines to stimulate WBC production
- Antibodies from donated blood samples (intravenous immune globulin)
Elio Castagnola practices in Genoa, Italy. Mr. Castagnola is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Infantile Neutropenia. His top areas of expertise are Infantile Neutropenia, Febrile Neutropenia, Agranulocytosis, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Monica Slavin practices in Melbourne, Australia. Ms. Slavin is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Infantile Neutropenia. Her top areas of expertise are Febrile Neutropenia, Agranulocytosis, Infantile Neutropenia, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Lung Transplant.
Franco Locatelli practices in Rome, Italy. Mr. Locatelli is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Infantile Neutropenia. His top areas of expertise are Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Leukemia, Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Splenectomy.
The baby's outlook depends on the cause of the neutropenia. Some infections and other conditions in newborns can be life threatening. However, most infections do not cause long-term side effects after the neutropenia goes away or is treated.
Alloimmune neutropenia will also get better once the mother's antibodies are out of the baby's bloodstream.
Background: * Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a condition in which there is a decreased level of CD4+ lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), which can lead to opportunistic infections or autoimmune disorders and diseases.
Summary: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of using a reduced-intensity condition (RIC) regimen with umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT), double cord UCBT, matched unrelated donor (MUD) bone marrow transplant (BMT) or peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) in patients with non-malignant disorders that are amenable to treatment with hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). ...
Published Date: November 06, 2023
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Koenig JM, Bliss JM, Sperandio M. Normal and abnormal neutrophil physiology in the newborn. In: Polin RA, Abman SH, Rowitch DH, Benitz WE, Fox WW, eds. Fetal and Neonatal Physiology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 119.
Letterio J, Ahuja S. Hematologic problems. In: Fanaroff AA, Fanaroff JM, eds. Klaus and Fanaroff's Care of the High-Risk Neonate. 7th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2020:chap 16.