Pancytopenia resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sanjana Nethagani, M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Pancytopenia is described as a decrease in the 3 cell lines which are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Clinically, pancytopenia is defined as hemoglobin< 9gm, white blood cell count< 4,000/cmm and platelets < 100,000/cmm. It can be due to decreased production in the bone marrow or increased destruction of cells in the periphery. Pancytopenia can also be caused due to drugs such as chemotherapy agents. Treatment involves identifying the underlying cause and appropriate therapy.

Causes

Decreased production of cells

• Aplastic anemia
• Myelodysplasia
• Myelofibrosis
• Diamond-Blackfan syndrome
• Fanconi's anemia
• Leukemia

Increased peripheral destruction

• Splenomegaly
• Hypersplenism

Other causes

• Chemotherapy
• Parvovirus B-19 infection
• Autoimmune conditions
• Human immunodeficiency virus infection
• Tuberculosis
• Lymphoma

For a full list of pancytopenia causes, click here.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pancytopenia is outlined in the algorithm below.

Do's

• Screen for infections like hepatitis, HIV, Parvovirus-B19, Epstein Barr virus, etc.
• Periodic, regular blood tests must be done for patients on methotrexate or other marrow suppressing drugs.
• Patients who have pancytopenia must be counselled against the use of drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs which may cause bleeding.