Autoimmune Neutropenia (AIN)
These instructions for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) patients describe autoimmune neutropenia, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys white blood cells called neutrophils.
Important information about neutropenia:
Neutropenia is a disorder that causes children to have lower than normal levels of neutrophils in the blood. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell (WBC). Neutrophils protect the body against bacterial infections. Neutropenia can be a very serious condition because children tend to get infections more easily. Learn more about neutropenia.
Neutropenia can be:
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Mild – an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) between 1,000-1,500/µL
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Moderate – an ANC between 500-1,000/µL
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Severe – an ANC less than 500/µL
A low absolute neutrophil count increases the risk of infection.
What is autoimmune neutropenia (AIN)?
Autoimmune neutropenia happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys neutrophils. Autoimmune neutropenia is not a problem with making neutrophils. Your body still makes neutrophils, but it is unable to keep up with the amount of destruction. For most children autoimmune neutropenia will eventually go away on its own.
What causes autoimmune neutropenia?
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A viral illness
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Rarely, it can be found with other autoimmune diseases, like lupus
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Rarely, there is an underlying problem with the immune system
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Sometimes the cause cannot be found
What are symptoms of autoimmune neutropenia?
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Most children have no symptoms
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Most often AIN is found because of a blood count that is done for other reasons.
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In more severe cases, children may have frequent bacterial infections or mouth sores
How is autoimmune neutropenia diagnosed?
A hematologist, a specialist for blood disorders, will be involved in your child's care. They will ask questions about your child's current illness, medical history and family history. They will decide if more blood tests are needed and look at the blood under the microscope. Your child may require more frequent bloodwork to monitor their blood counts.
How is autoimmune neutropenia treated?
Most children with autoimmune neutropenia do not need medicine. Your child will be monitored closely and have regular blood counts. Your child will initially need to be evaluated for fevers.
Sometimes medicine that increases the neutrophil count is needed due to severe or recurrent bacterial infections. Rarely, treatment may include an antibiotic to prevent infection.
Patient instructions:
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Give your child all medicines exactly as prescribed. Do not stop any medicines early or give extra doses! Call your hematology team if your child is not able to take their medicine as ordered.
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Go to all scheduled lab draws and follow-up appointments. Please let your team know if you need help with work or other childcare arrangements.
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Watch closely for the symptoms your hematology team reviewed with you. Always have a plan in case of fever.
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Fever may be the first and only sign of a serious infection. Follow the fever guidelines set by your hematology team. Call your hematology team for fever:
Please contact your CHOP hematology team with questions or concerns:
215-590-3535
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CHOP Main patients:
8:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday
215-590-3437
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Voorhees patients
8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
856-435-7502
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King of Prussia patients:
8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
267-425-3320
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Weekends, holidays and every day after
5:00pm, all patients: 215-590-1000, ask the
hospital operator for the hematologist on call.
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For non-urgent issues, send your team a message in the MyCHOP portal.
Reviewed on June 23, 2023, by Grace Nelson, CRNP