Neutropenia in Infants

Neutropenia in babies is a decrease in neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps defend the body against infections. When their number is low, the immune defenses are reduced.

Common causes: it may be temporary after a viral infection or, less frequently, due to congenital or other causes.

When to see a doctor? An evaluation is advisable if the baby has repeated infections, frequent fever or sores that are slow to heal.

Which specialist treats it? The pediatrician usually begins the workup and, depending on the case, relies on the pediatric hematologist. Having your baby checked by these specialists allows the cause to be better understood.