Clinicopathological Spectrum of Pancytopenia in Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India

Abstract

Introduction: The term pancytopenia refers to a reduction in all three formed elements of blood-erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelets. It is not a disease entity, but rather a triad of findings that may result from a number of disease processes. The causes of pancytopenia vary depending on multiple factors. This prospective study was conducted to find out various causes of pancytopenia and their relative frequencies in a tertiary care hospital in northern India. Methods: In the present study, 60 cases were taken up for a period of 2 years at a tertiary care hospital in Northern India. The study was composed of a brief work up of history, general and systemic examination and complete hematological work up. All the data was compiled and a final diagnosis was made. Results: The age of the patients varied from 6 months to 70 years consisting of 34 males (57%) and 26 females (43%). Megaloblastic anemia was the most common cause (66.7%) followed by aplastic anemia (19%) and malignancies (6.7%). Infections and parasitic infestations accounted for the rest. Conclusion: In our study, more than 50% of the cases are due to megaloblastic anemia prevalent due to dietary deficiency & malnutrition. Also, infections and infestations (Tuberculosis, malaria, kalaazar and typhoid) should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis of pancytopenia.