Leukopenia

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
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Leukopenia
Synonyms	Leucopenia, leukocytopenia
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Often none; increased risk of infection
Complications	Infection, sepsis
Onset	Can be sudden or gradual
Duration	Varies depending on cause
Types	N/A
Causes	Bone marrow suppression, autoimmune disorders, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, aplastic anemia, HIV/AIDS, lupus
Risks	Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, autoimmune diseases, HIV/AIDS
Diagnosis	Complete blood count (CBC)
Differential diagnosis	Anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia
Prevention	Avoiding known risk factors, prophylactic antibiotics in high-risk patients
Treatment	Depends on underlying cause; may include growth factors, antibiotics, antivirals, immunosuppressants
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies; depends on underlying cause and response to treatment
Frequency	Common in patients undergoing chemotherapy or with autoimmune disorders
Deaths	N/A

Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) found in the blood, which places individuals at increased risk of infection.

Causes

Leukopenia can be caused by various conditions and diseases. Some of the most common causes include:

• Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Certain autoimmune disorders such as lupus
• Certain medications, including those used to treat mental health conditions
• Infectious diseases such as HIV or hepatitis
• Bone marrow disorders
• Malnutrition

Symptoms

The symptoms of leukopenia can vary depending on the underlying cause. However, common symptoms include:

• Frequent infections
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Skin rashes

Diagnosis

Leukopenia is typically diagnosed through a complete blood count (CBC) test, which measures the number of each type of cell in the blood. If leukopenia is detected, further tests may be performed to determine the underlying cause.

Treatment

Treatment for leukopenia typically involves addressing the underlying cause. This may involve changing medications, treating infections, or providing supportive care to help the body produce more white blood cells.

See also

• Neutropenia
• Lymphocytopenia
• Pancytopenia