leucopenia
Noun: A condition characterized by an abnormally low number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the circulating blood. This decreases the body's ability to fight infection.
The term is used primarily in medical contexts to describe a specific hematological finding or diagnosis. It is a clinical sign, not a disease itself, and indicates an underlying problem. - The patient's persistent fever was investigated, and a blood test revealed leucopenia. - Chemotherapy often causes leucopenia as a side effect.
- As a countable/uncountable noun: It can be used both ways. It is often used as an uncountable condition ("The patient has leucopenia") but can be counted when referring to specific instances or types ("various drug-induced leucopenias").
- Pathophysiological context: It is frequently discussed in relation to its cause (e.g., drug-induced leucopenia, infection-related leucopenia) or its specific cell type deficiency (e.g., neutropenia, a type of leucopenia).
- Leukopenia: The more common American English spelling. Both "leucopenia" and "leukopenia" are correct and interchangeable.
- Leucopenic/Leukopenic (adjective): Describing a state of having leucopenia.
- The leucopenic patient was placed in protective isolation.
- Neutropenia (noun): A specific and common type of leucopenia involving a low count of neutrophils, a key type of white blood cell.
- Leukocytopenia: A less common, fully synonymous medical term.
- Low white blood cell count: A descriptive, non-technical synonym.
- Leukocytosis: An abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells.
- Normal white blood cell count: The opposite physiological state.
The core meaning is strictly hematological. It does not refer to general weakness or a simple cold, but to a measurable laboratory deficiency in a major component of the immune system. Its presence signals a need for medical investigation into the cause.
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an abnormal lowering of the white blood cell count
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