Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Neutropenia may be caused by:

  • Congenital disorders characterized by poor bone marrow function
  • Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow
  • Viral infections that disrupt bone marrow function
  • Autoimmune disorders that destroy neutrophils or bone marrow cells
  • Overwhelming infections that use up neutrophils faster than they can be produced
  • Drugs that destroy neutrophils or damage bone marrow

Possible causes of neutropenia include:

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger