The child with neutropenia

Leukocyte response to administration of corticosteroid in healthy black children with neutropenia

After a challenge with corticosteroid, increments in the absolute neutrophil count were > 50% in eight healthy black children with neutropenia, and > 2.0 x 10(9)/L (> 2000/mm3) in all but one child. Decrements in the absolute lymphocyte count mirrored the increments. Stimulation with hydrocortisone may be useful in characterizing ethnic neutropenia.

Neutrophil dysfunction associated with states of chronic and recurrent infection

Infants, children, and young adults who suffer chronic and recurrent bacterial or fungal infection despite adequate numbers of circulating granulocytes and normal or elevated levels of immunoglobulins should be suspected of having fundamental defects in granulocyte functioning. This article considers clinical disorders for which there is evidence for associated defects of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.