What is "neutropenia"

n. A hematological disorder characterized by an abnormally low neutrophil count.

n. leukopenia in which the decrease is primarily in number of neutrophils (the chief phagocytic leukocyte)

Neutropenia or neutropaenia, is an abnormally low concentration of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood. Neutrophils make up the majority of circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria, bacterial fragments and immunoglobulin-bound viruses in the blood. Patients with neutropenia are more susceptible to bacterial infections and, without prompt medical attention, the condition may become life-threatening ( neutropenic sepsis).

Neutropenia can be acute (temporary) or chronic (long lasting). The term is sometimes used interchangeably with " leukopenia" ("deficit in the number of white blood cells")