Neutropenia
Signs and Symptoms

Children with neutropenia tend to develop infections easily because their white blood cell count is too low to ward off bacteria. Most infections occur in the lungs, mouth, throat, sinuses and skin. Some patients experience painful mouth ulcers, gum infections, ear infections, periodontal disease or disease of the tissues surrounding the teeth and infections of the urinary tract, colon, rectum or reproductive tract.

Other symptoms include:

• Fever
• Shaking chills
• Sore throat
• Cough or shortness of breath
• Nasal congestion
• Diarrhea or loose bowels
• Burning during urination
• Unusual redness, swelling or warmth at the site of an injury

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated January 21, 2010