Neutropenia is the decrease to the normal Neutrophil count. Neutropenia is defined as the Neutrophil count that less than 2,500 cells/µL.
The normal white blood cell count for the Neutrophil is 8870 segmental (mature) cells/µL in newborns which drops down dramatically within 2 weeks to lower than 2600 cells/µL, then the normal Neutrophil count starts to increase again to reach 3800 cells/µL in adults.
Since the Neutrophil makes up the majority of white blood cells, except at early childhood, a massive decrease in the Neutrophils count (severe Neutropenia) would cause a noticeable decrease in the total blood cells count (Leukopenia) and sometimes the terms Neutropenia and Leukopenia may be used to refer to each other. But Neutropenia is just a subtype of Leukopenia.
Neutrophils are decreased in the circulating blood by exposure to radiation and Neutropenia is considered as a side effect to Radiation Therapy.
Anaphylactic reaction (Anaphylaxis) is another cause of Neutropenia. Anaphylaxis occurs when the whole body is reacting to an exposure of a chemical that the body is allergic to.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an immune system disease that defines the situation when white blood cells are mistakenly attack the non-harmful body tissues. Neutropenia is a significant sign in this because the Neutrophils are attacking a massive number of cells that builds up the non-harmful tissue (Same mechanism that causes Leukopenia in overwhelming infections).
The infections listed below decrease the production of Neutrophil and Neutropenia can be a sign of any of them:
- Brucellosis.
- Measles.
- Infectious Mononucleosis Malaria .
- Tuberculosis.
- Typhoid Fever.
- Tularemia.
- Viral Hepatitis.
Neutropenia is also associated to chemical therapy because the Neutrophil production is reduced by several drugs including:
- Antiinflamatory gents that treat inflammation by altering the activation and migration of Neutrophil.
- Alkylating agents including Busulfan, Chlormbucil, Cyclophosphatmide, and Nitrogen mustard.
- Antimetabolites (Drugs that block the cell growth and cell division) including Methotrexate, 5-fluorocyosine, 6-mercaptopurine and the Antimetabolite Antibiotics such like Penicillin and the Sulfonamides.
- Antithyroid agents.
There are drugs that destroy the Neutrophil in the blood causing Neutropenia including Aminopyrine, Methyldopa, Phenylbutazone, and Mecurial Diuretics.