A practical approach to evaluating and treating neutropenia in the neonatal intensive care unit

Neutropenia was first described in 1902, but it was not recognized as a problem among neonates until the late 1930s. Neutropenia is now known to be a relatively common problem among ill neonates. In most instances, neutropenia among neonatal intensive care unit patients is of short duration and probably has little or no influence on outcome. In other cases it is severe or prolonged, and constitutes a serious antimicrobial defense deficiency. When a neonatologist discovers a low blood neutrophil count, choices must be made regarding further evaluation and treatment. This article provides information that is useful in making these choices.