What are the Causes of leucopenia?
Leucopenia can be caused by various medical conditions and intake of certain drugs.
Leucopenia is caused by one of the following-
- Infections, such as influenza, typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis or sepsis.
- Diseases of the bone marrow.
- Congenital disorders like Kostmann's syndrome which is characterized by diminished bone marrow function.
- Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.
- Autoimmune disorders like HIV or SLE that destroys white blood cells or bone marrow cells.
- Chemotherapy- Drugs like azathioprine (given in transplant patients) can cause leucopenia. Many of the drugs which are used to treat cancer may also cause leucopenia.
- Hypersensitivity to several commonly used medications like antibiotics (minocycline) or diuretics.
- Nutritional deficiencies- Vitamin B12, zinc, copper and folate deficiency can lead to leucopenia.
- Enlargement of spleen (splenomegaly)
- Aplastic anemia
- Radiation
