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Immune neutropenias of infancy and childhood

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Abstract

Background

Anti-neutrophil antibodies are a well-recognized cause of neutropenia, producing a potential increase in risk of infection: in the majority of patients antibodies react against antigens located on the IgG Fc receptor type 3b (FcRIIIb), but other target antigens have been identified.

Data sources

In this review the most important papers of auto and alloimmune neutropenias of infancy and childhood were analyzed. PubMed, Google Scholar and Thompson ISI Web of Knowledge were searched for identifying relevant papers.

Results

Primary autoimmune neutropenia of infancy is mostly a benign condition with self-limited course, whereas isolated alloimmune neonatal neutropenia or secondary autoimmune neutropenia may be occasionally complicated by severe infections.

Conclusion

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor is an effective therapy for patients affected by all types of autoimmune and alloimmune neutropenia, even though most of them do not need any therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, A.R.N.A.S. Ospedali Civico, Di Cristina e Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy

    Piero Farruggia

  2. U.O. di Oncoematologia Pediatrica, A.R.N.A.S. Ospedali Civico, Di Cristina e Benfratelli, Piazza Nicola Leotta 4, 90127, Palermo, Italy

    Piero Farruggia

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  1. Piero Farruggia
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Correspondence to Piero Farruggia.

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Farruggia, P. Immune neutropenias of infancy and childhood. World J Pediatr 12, 142–148 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-015-0056-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-015-0056-9

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