Is Cyclic Neutropenia Affecting Your Health?
Published: Mar 08, 2024
Cyclic neutropenia is a rare condition characterized by recurring episodes of low neutrophil levels, leading to infections and other symptoms. Understanding this condition can help manage its effects on your health.
Contents
Understanding Cyclic Neutropenia
Cyclic neutropenia is marked by periodic drops in neutrophil counts, typically every three weeks, leading to symptoms like fever and ulcers. The condition is linked to mutations in the ELANE gene, affecting neutrophil elastase and causing these cycles. Although rare, it affects both males and females equally and can be identified in childhood or adulthood.
Symptoms and Complications
Symptoms include recurrent fever, oral ulcers, and fatigue, occurring more than five times a year for many patients. While most feel well between episodes, some experience severe complications like necrotizing enterocolitis or sepsis. Fortunately, the risk of serious transformation into conditions like leukemia is low.
Diagnosing the Condition
Diagnosis involves observing the pattern of symptoms and conducting blood tests to identify neutrophil count cycles. Genetic testing for ELANE mutations is essential for a confirmed diagnosis, distinguishing it from other similar conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a condition with recurring drops in neutrophil levels causing periodic symptoms.
It affects both males and females, often appearing in childhood.
Serious risks are low, but complications like sepsis can occur.
Through observing symptom patterns and genetic testing.
Key Takeaways
Understanding cyclic neutropenia's cycles can help manage its impact on health.
Talk with Doctronic to explore how cyclic neutropenia might be affecting you.Related Articles
References
Bellanné-Chantelot C, et al. Mutations in the ELA2 gene correlate with more severe expression of neutropenia: a study of 81 patients from the French Neutropenia Register. Blood 2004; 103:4119.
GeneReviews, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, et al (Eds), University of Washington, Seattle 2018.
Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.