Neutropenia or agranulocytosis is a blood disease in which the level of neutrophilic leukocytes is significantly reduced. A small amount of neutrophils in the blood causes a decline in immunity and increased susceptibility to pathogenic bacteria, viruses, pathogenic microflora, etc. The normal neutrophilic leukocyte count in the blood is 1500/1 μl. Depending on the level of neutrophil deficiency, three degrees of severity of the disease are distinguished: mild, moderate and severe.
Neutropenia in children up to a year can be of two forms: acute (when the disease develops suddenly, quickly) and chronic (develops for months or even for several years).
Neutropenia in children: causes
Neutropenia in children can be caused by various pathologies of the blood, or develop as a separate anomaly. Most often, neutropenia develops due to long-term use of certain medications - antimetabolites, anticonvulsants, penicillin, antitumor drugs, etc. In some cases, the disease is predictable (that is, it is a likely side effect), in others it does not depend on the preparation, dosage and timing of admission.
Congenital neutropenia is an extremely rare anomaly. Deficiency in the production of neutrophilic leukocytes can be caused by a hereditary predisposition to the disease, pancreatic pathologies, HIV or kidney failure. Among the causes of the disease are also cancer, bone marrow pathology, B13 avitaminosis and folic acid.
Neutropenia in children: symptoms
Certain symptoms of neutropenia do not exist. Clinical manifestations of the disease depend on the disease that developed against its background. The heavier the form of neutropenia in children, the more complex the infectious disease. After a violation of the work of immunity leads to a decrease in protection, the body becomes vulnerable and weak. Thus, most cases of neutropenia occur with a sharp increase in temperature, weakness, the appearance of ulcers and wounds on the mucous membranes, the development of pneumonia. Also often observed tremor, arrhythmia, tachycardia, increased sweating, chills. In acute cases, in the absence of adequate medical care, neutropenia can cause toxic shock.
Neutropenia in children: treatment
Differences in the treatment of neutropenia depend on its causes. But in any case, one of the most important goals is to strengthen the patient's immunity and protect him from infections. Depending on the form and severity of the disease, treatment can be either
Assign the following groups of medicines: vitamins, antibiotics and glucocorticoids, in addition, a variety of medications can be prescribed (again, depending on the form and causes of the disease). In severe cases, patients are placed in sterile conditions to protect them from infectious diseases.