Pancytopenia: A Clinico Haematological Study

Abstract

Introduction: Pancytopenia is a relatively common haematological condition. It is a significant feature of many serious and fatal illnesses. It is starting from simple drug induced bone marrow hypoplasia, megaloblastic anaemia to fatal bone marrow aplasias and leukemias. The severity of pancytopenia and causative pathology determine the management and prognosis. Thus the identification of the correct cause will help in implementing appropriate therapy. Objectives: To study the clinical presentations in pancytopenia due to various causes; and to evaluate haematological parameters which also comprise of the bone marrow aspiration.  Material & Methods: It was a prospective study and 100 pancytopenic patients were evaluated clinically. Also along with their haematological parameters and bone marrow aspiration in the department of pathology. Results: Out of 100 cases studied, age of patients ranging from 2 to 80 years with a mean age of 41years, and male predominance. Majority of the patients presented with generalized weakness and fever. The most common physical finding was pallor, succeeded by splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Dimorphic anaemia was the predominant blood picture. Bone marrow aspiration was conclusive in all cases. The commonest marrow finding was hypercellularity with megaloblastic erythropoiesis, and the most common cause of pancytopenia was found to be megaloblastic anaemia (75%), followed by aplastic anaemia (18%)  . Conclusion: The present study gives conclusion that detailed primary haematological investigations along with bone marrow aspiration in cytopenic patients are helpful for understanding of the progression of the disease and to diagnose or to rule out the causes of cytopenia. These are also helpful in establishing the further line of investigation and management.