Neutropenia

Overview

Benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) is common in patients of African, Middle Eastern, and some other ethnic descents. Patients from other ethnic descents with neutropenia should be investigated for other etiologies.

Assessment

Potential systemic symptoms (e.g. fever), medications that can cause neutropenia and signs of infection, malignancy and liver disease should all be assessed.

Management by Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)

Our recommended approach for asymptomatic patients with neutropenia based on their absolute neutrophil count (ANC) in 10E9/L:

• >1.5: Normal, no action needed
• 1.0 to 1.5 (mild): Monitor, consider BEN in appropriate ethnic groups
• 0.5 - 1.0 (moderate): Further investigation warranted
• <0.5 (severe): Refer immediately if symptomatic

Keep in mind that the values above apply mainly to adult patients. Children will have different normal neutrophil count values depending on their age.