CLINICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN OF 3 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS OF AGE WITH BICYTOPENIA OR PANCYTOPENIA

Introduction: Hematological malignancies present as a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, with overlapping features of infectious and nutritional diseases. Although bicytopenia and pancytopenia are common entities, very few studies have looked into the clinical and hematological profile in children, especially in infective and nutritional causes which are prevalent in tropical countries like India. Objectives: To study the clinical and hematological profile (including blood cell indices) of hospitalized children of 3 months to 12 years of age with bicytopenia and pancytopenia. Methods: 193 children aged 3 months to 12 years with bicytopenia and pancytopenia were enrolled in the study. Those with previous blood transfusion or already on treatment were excluded. Details were collected as per the proforma regarding complete history and clinical findings. A complete hemogram and peripheral smear was done. Further investigations done as indicated. Data was collated and analyzed. Results: 193 children who were studied were treated according to etiology and followed till discharge or death. Analysis showed that the most common hematological finding in bicytopenia is thrombocytopenia with leucopenia and a new hematological parameter immature reticulocyte fraction can play a role in diagnosing aplastic anemia.