At a Glance Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a heterogeneous disorder. Thus, clinical suspicion may arise in a number of different circumstances. Newborn screening for CF is routinely performed in the United States. Thus, many referrals for diagnostic testing come as result of a positive newborn screen or due to a family history of CF, sometimes…
At a Glance Drug-induced neutropenia is characterized by a decline in absolute neutrophil counts precipitated by exposure to a medication. Neutropenia can occur at any time during the course of treatment but most commonly occurs within the first few weeks after initiation of drug therapy. The clinical consequence of neutropenia is susceptibility to infection proportional…
At a Glance Idiopathic aplastic anemia is an acquired bone marrow failure syndrome. It presents with the sequelae of peripheral cytopenias. Patients may exhibit fatigue, pallor, dyspnea on exertion, tachycardia due to anemia, and easy bruising or mucocutaneous bleeding due to thrombocytopenia. Patients may also present with infections due to leukopenia. Aplastic anemia can occur…
At a Glance Bone marrow replacement or myelophthisis causes cytopenias (reductions in peripheral blood components) by destroying or replacing normal hematopoiesis in the bone marrow. Thus, patients may have any combination of anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia, similar to other bone marrow failure syndromes, such as aplastic anemia. Unlike these other syndromes, however, bone marrow replacement…
At a Glance Bone marrow suppression is defined by a decrease in bone marrow hematopoietic cells leading to peripheral cytopenias. Patients may exhibit fatigue, pallor, dyspnea on exertion, tachycardia due to anemia, and easy bruising or mucocutaneous bleeding due to thrombocytopenia. Patients may also present with infections due to leukopenia. Bone marrow suppression is most…
