Diagnosis and management of chronic neutropenia during childhood

Chronic neutropenia of childhood is a group of disorders characterized by a reduced absolute neutrophil count. It represents the most common primary leukocyte abnormality encountered by the pediatrician. Although the clinical course varies considerably, most children with chronic neutropenia have an indolent clinical course and require no treatment; however a few children have more severe infections and represent a diagnostic and management challenge for the pediatrics and hematologists. New, effective and safe forms of treatment have been developed during the past few years; however, the decision to treat or not to treat children with chronic neutropenia must be made based on the clinical history and not on the neutrophil count alone.