Cytopenia is a disorder characterized by low levels of blood components, including red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Pancytopenia is a condition where all blood components are decreased. Anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia are types of cytopenia caused by underlying conditions. DHF is a viral infection that can cause thrombocytopenia.
In medicine, the word cyto refers to a cell and penia means low or decreased. A cytopenia is therefore a disorder characterized by low or decreased levels of one or more blood components in the circulation. Blood has several components including red blood cells (RBCs), platelets and white blood cells (WBCs). Red blood cells are cells that deliver oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. Platelets are important in blood clotting and white blood cells act to defend the body against infection.
The complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test often requested by doctors to evaluate the presence of cytopenia in sick patients. The complete blood count shows the value of white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells in a blood sample. When all blood components are decreased, the condition is called pancytopenia. Pancytopenia is usually seen in cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, severe vitamin B12 deficiency, and aplastic anemia, which is a condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce blood cells.
A cytopenia that shows a deficiency in the amount of red blood cells in the circulation is known as anemia. Anemia is usually caused by other underlying diseases that cause bleeding, increased destruction of red blood cells in the circulation, and abnormal production of red blood cells by the bone marrow. Symptoms include poor concentration, weakness, palpitations or increased heart rate, and shortness of breath on exertion. If severe, anemia is usually treated with blood transfusions.
A low number of white blood cells in the circulation is called leukopenia. This type of cytopenia is often caused by infections such as malaria, influenza and tuberculosis. Some forms of cancer, such as leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also have a low white blood cell count. The most common cause of this form of cytopenia, however, is due to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Patients with leukopenia may experience headache, weakness and fever and are more prone to getting infections easily.
Low or decreased platelet counts are known as thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is usually caused by other underlying conditions, such as bone marrow cancer and chronic liver disease, leading to decreased platelet production. It can also result from increased destruction of platelets in the circulation, as seen in cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and in chemotherapy treatment.
DHF is a viral infection transmitted by an infected mosquito. It usually presents with sudden onset symptoms of high fever, severe headache, body aches, and rash. The presence of bruising in the skin and bleeding from the nose and gums is also commonly seen among dengue patients and other patients with thrombocytopenia.
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