Clinico-Hematological Study of Pancytopenia in Pediatric Age Group at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kachchh District, Gujarat, India

Priyal S Patel; Nikita M. Modh; Bhushan M. Warpe; Aastha C. Prajapati; Soham S. Upadhyay

doi:10.21276/apalm.3428

Authors

Priyal S Patel Department of Pathology, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Nikita M. Modh Department of Pathology, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Bhushan M. Warpe Department of Pathology, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Aastha C. Prajapati Department of Pathology, Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Soham S. Upadhyay Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Gujarat, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apalm.3428

Keywords:

Pancytopenia, anemia, peripheral smear, bone marrow evaluation

Abstract

Background: Pancytopenia is a common pediatric hematological finding seen on routine CBC reports. It is defined as a reduction in all three major formed elements of blood—erythrocytes, leucocytes, and platelets. It may result from a number of disease processes, either primarily or secondarily involving the bone marrow. Careful assessment of blood elements is often the first step in evaluating hematologic function and diagnosing disease, followed by bone marrow evaluation.

Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based observational study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Bhuj, from January to June 2024. A total of 60 patients aged 6 months to 18 years with pancytopenia were enrolled in our study. All blood samples were evaluated using a cell counter, and a complete hemogram was obtained.

Results: Out of 60 patients, the majority were between 6 months and 6 years old. The male-to-female ratio was 0.7:1. The most common etiological factors were deficiency anemia, infections, and other causes. Generalized weakness and fever were the most common presenting symptoms. The most common signs were pallor and splenomegaly.

Conclusion: The present study concludes that clinical findings and peripheral blood pictures provide valuable information in the workup of patients with cytopenias. They aid in diagnosing the majority of pancytopenic children and help in planning further investigations.

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