Leucopenia is a term referred, when there is abnormally low amount of white cells in the circulating blood.
- White blood cells act as a defense against any infection in the body. White blood cell count in an individual varies according to his age, sex and whether he is in good health or he is sick.
- The normal range of WBC in adults and children is 4500 to 11,000 per cubic mm of blood.
- If the child is having WBC count less than 4000 per cubic mm of blood, he is having leucopenia.
- In leucopenia the chances of acquiring infection in a child increases, as the body’s fighting capacity has decreased.
Causes of Leucopenia in Children
- Dengue and malaria are vector borne diseases; the blood examination shows low WBC count.
- Any viral infection will normally have a low leucocytic count.
- Vitamin deficiency. Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency.
- HIV infection
- Infectious mononucleosis.
- Drug induced leucopenia. Drugs such as chloramphenicol, sulphonamides etc.
- Aquired Aplastic anemia.
- Acute leukemia.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Septicemia
- Felty’s syndrome
Leucopenia in children can be detected on blood examination.
It is a marker for abnormal condition of health in your child. When your child falls sick, your doctor may advise blood routine examination. He will look for total WBC count. It aids in the diagnosis of the disease.