Neutropenia is a medical condition where an individual lacks a sufficient amount of neutrophils in their blood. The spelling of this word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "nu" with the "n" sound, followed by the "yoo" sound as in "tune". The "tro" syllable is pronounced with the "t" sound, followed by "ro" with the "oh" sound as in "boat". Lastly, the "pe" syllable is pronounced with the short "e" sound, as in "bet".
Neutropenia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally low level of neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell that serves as a vital component of the body's immune system. It is typically defined as having a neutrophil count below 1,500 cells per microliter of blood. Neutrophils play a crucial role in protecting the body against bacterial and fungal infections by engulfing and destroying harmful pathogens, especially at the site of infection.
Neutropenia can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the severity of the neutrophil depletion. Individuals with neutropenia may experience an increased susceptibility to infections, as their weakened immune system is unable to effectively fight off invading organisms. Common symptoms may include recurrent fevers, chills, frequent infections, mouth ulcers, sore throat, and skin infections.
There are several possible causes of neutropenia, including certain medications, chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer treatment, autoimmune disorders, viral infections, and bone marrow diseases. Neutropenia can also be inherited. Diagnosis of neutropenia involves a blood test to determine the absolute neutrophil count, as well as investigations to identify the underlying cause.
Treatment for neutropenia focuses on addressing the root cause whenever possible. Patients with severe neutropenia may require the administration of growth factors to stimulate the production of white blood cells. Additionally, careful management of potential infections is essential, including the use of prophylactic antibiotics and regular monitoring of symptoms and blood counts.
The presence of neutrophile cells in abnormally small number in the peripheral blood stream.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "neutropenia" is formed from the combination of two elements: "neutro-" and "-penia".
- "Neutro-" is derived from the Greek word "neutros", meaning "neither one nor the other". It refers to the neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cells responsible for fighting infections.
- "-Penia" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "penia", meaning "lack" or "deficiency".
Therefore, "neutropenia" can be understood as a condition characterized by a deficiency or lack of neutrophils in the blood.