Other non-malignant causes of peripheral blood cytopenias

Abstract

Cytopenias due to shortened peripheral blood cell survival caused by immune, mechanical, or constitutional damage to blood cells are considered in this chapter, as well as some causes of reduced production due to inflammation or haematinic deficiency. Cytopenias in children with malignant disease are due to replacement of healthy bone marrow by the underlying malignant dis-ease and/or reduced marrow production of haemopoietic cells as a result of the suppressive effects of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Primary bone marrow failure syndromes and hypoplastic/aplastic anaemia are rarer and are considered elsewhere (Bone marrow failure, Chapter 25)