blood disorders
Neutropenia
Causes of Neutropenia
Neutropenia has many causes, but they fall into two main categories: Neutrophils are used up or destroyed faster than the bone marrow can produce new ones The production of neutrophils in the bone marrow is reduced Many disorders cause neutrophils to be used up or destroyed. These disorders include certain bacterial infections, some allergic disorders, and some drug treatments (such as drugs used to treat hyperthyroidism). People with an Autoimmune Disorders can make antibodies that destroy neutrophils and result in neutropenia. People with an Production of neutrophils in the bone marrow can be reduced by cancer, viral infections such as Influenza (Flu) , bacterial infections such as Many drugs, including (but not limited to) phenothiazine, sulfa drugs, and many drugs used in cancer treatment (chemotherapy), as well as certain toxins (benzene and insecticides) can also impair the bone marrow’s ability to produce neutrophils. Production of neutrophils in the bone marrow is also affected by a disorder called Aplastic Anemia (in which the bone marrow may shut down production of all blood cells). Certain rarehereditary disordersalso cause a decrease in the number of neutrophils. In cyclic neutropenia, the number of neutrophils rises and falls regularly over a period of weeks. In chronic benign neutropenia, neutrophil counts are low but infections are rare, probably because people produce adequate numbers in response to infection. Severe congenital neutropenia is a group of disorders that prevent neutrophils from becoming mature, and people develop serious infections starting in infancy. 