Isolated Neutropenia and Clinical Outcomes

Investigators from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Texas conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess outcomes in children referred for isolated neutropenia. Children ≤18 years old referred by their primary care physician (PCP) to the University of Alabama at Birmingham pediatric hematology-oncology clinic between 2013 and 2018 for isolated neutropenia were eligible. Isolated neutropenia was defined as at least 1 absolute neutrophil count (ANC) that was <1,500/µL without associated anemia or thrombocytopenia. Investigators reviewed the referral records and medical records of participants to obtain demographics, clinical characteristics, and lab results.

The primary predictor was the degree of neutropenia at referral, categorized as mild (ANC 1,001-1,500/µL), moderate (501-1,000/µL), severe (201-500/µL), or very severe (≤200/µL). The primary outcomes were diagnosis, current ANC (determined by calling the participant’s PCP and categorized as above), interventions received, and hospitalization. Investigators …