What is "cytopenia"

n. (context cytology English) A reduction in the number of blood cells for any of several reasons

n. a deficiency of some cellular element of the blood

Cytopenia is a reduction in the number of blood cells. It takes a number of forms:

• Low red blood cell count: resulting in anemia.
• Low white blood cell count: leukopenia or neutropenia (because neutrophils make up at least half of all white cells, they are almost always low in leukopenia).
• Low platelet count: thrombocytopenia.
• Low granulocyte count: granulocytopenia
• Low red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts: pancytopenia.