Low absolute neutrophil counts in African infants.
Infants of African origin have a lower normal range of absolute neutrophil counts than white infants; this fact, however, remains under appreciated by clinical researchers in the United States. During the initial stages of a clinical trial in Malawi, the authors noted an unexpectedly high number of infants with absolute neutrophil counts that would be classifiable as neutropenic using the National Institutes of Health's Division of AIDS toxicity tables. The authors argue that the relevant Division of AIDS table does not take into account the available evidence of low absolute neutrophil counts in African infants and that a systematic collection of data from many African settings might help establish the absolute neutrophil count cutpoints to be used for defining neutropenia in African populations.
Kourtis
Athena P
AP
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 20241, USA. apk3@cdc.gov
Bramson
Brian
B
van der Horst
Charles
C
Kazembe
Peter
P
Ahmed
Yusuf
Y
Chasela
Charles
C
Hosseinipour
Mina
M
Knight
Rodney
R
Lugalia
Lebah
L
Tegha
Gerald
G
Joaki
George
G
Jafali
Robert
R
Jamieson
Denise J
DJ
D044383:Black People; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009503:Neutropenia; D009504:Neutrophils; D044465:White People