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 pro blem among neonates until the late 1930s. Neutropenia is now known to be a relatively common problem among ill neonates. In most instances, neutropeni a among neonatal intensive care unit patients is of short duration and prob ably 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 ma de regarding further evaluation and treatment. This article provides inform ation that is useful in making these choices.