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Current Pediatric Reviews

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1573-3963
ISSN (Online): 1875-6336

Review Article

Neutropenia in Preterm Infants

Author(s): Gaetano Chirico*

Volume 19, Issue 4, 2023

Published on: 21 December, 2022

Page: [352 - 356] Pages: 5

DOI: 10.2174/1573396319666221216121530

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: The non-specific and antigen-specific components of host defense mechanisms are subject to the adaptation process in the neonate; however, the neutrophil quantitative and qualitative deficiency is one of the most significant causative factors of neonatal-increased vulnerability to infection.

Objective: To review the incidence and outcome of neutropenia of unknown cause in preterm infants.

Results: The incidence of early and late-onset idiopathic neutropenia of prematurity is significant.

Conclusion: The low neutrophil counts respond quickly to G-CSF treatment; however, due to the low probability of septic complications, particularly in the late-onset neutropenia, a deep diagnostic approach and the potential hematopoietic growth factor treatment should be limited to the severe cases, such as a neutrophil count <500/μL, lasting for more than 2 days.

Keywords: Neutropenia, prematurity, neonatal, hematopoietic growth factors, sepsis, early and late-onset.

Graphical Abstract
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