Natural History of Chronic Idiopathic Neutropenia

MARKED decrease in the number of circulating neutrophils is usually associated with overwhelming infection and often reflects a primary hematologic disorder or follows the ingestion of drugs. However, severe chronic neutropenia can occur without any grave infections and with no apparent cause.1 Little is known about its long-term natural history. We report here on follow-up studies of patients with severe chronic neutropenia. None had recurrent infections, leukemia, lupus erythematosus, or rheumatoid arthritis. We conclude that chronic idiopathic neutropenia is a benign condition.Initial DataFifteen patients, described in 1968 by Kyle and Linman,1 had chronic idiopathic neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count . . .