* Mild Neutropenia: ANC between 1000-1500/µL. This is often considered a borderline range and may not require specific intervention unless there are other clinical factors.
* Moderate Neutropenia: ANC between 500-1000/µL. This level significantly increases the risk of infection, and proactive measures are usually recommended.
* Severe Neutropenia: ANC below 500/µL. This is considered a medical emergency with a high risk of severe, life-threatening infections. Urgent interventions are necessary.
* Profound Neutropenia: ANC below 100/µL. This represents an extremely high risk of overwhelming infection and often requires hospitalization and aggressive infection prevention strategies.
It's crucial to remember that these are general guidelines. The clinical significance of neutropenia depends not only on the ANC level but also on other factors including:
* The patient's underlying health condition: A patient with a pre-existing illness or weakened immune system will be at higher risk with a given ANC level than a healthy individual.
* The presence of fever or other signs of infection: A low ANC accompanied by fever is a much more serious situation than a low ANC without symptoms.
* The cause of neutropenia: The underlying cause will influence treatment decisions.
Therefore, the grading should always be interpreted in the context of the individual patient's clinical presentation and medical history. A doctor will determine the appropriate management based on all relevant information.