What does CN mean in BRITISH MEDICINE

What is CN?

CN is an inherited disorder of the white blood cells called neutrophils which help protect the body from infection. It can range from mild to severe in nature, depending on how much lower than normal the levels of neutrophils are. The patient’s ability to fight off infections is usually significantly compromised due to this abnormal decrease in their numbers.

In addition to being inherited, CN can also result from other causes such as certain medications or radiation therapy, but typically these cases are rare. There have been reports of CN in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer treatment as well.

Symptoms

Patients with CN experience recurrent bacterial infections throughout their life due to their diminished immune system defenses—the absences or low levels of white blood cells make them more prone to infection including viral infections or even fungi invasions. Some common bacterial infections seen in CN patients include pneumonia, meningitis, pharyngitis (sore throat), recurrent sinusitis or ear infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria or Streptococci bacteria respectively. Patients with congenital neutropaenia may also suffer from recurrent skin abscesses due to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria colonization on their skin.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis for congenital neutropaenia is based on a complete medical history and physical examination followed by laboratory tests such as complete blood count (CBC) or bone marrow biopsy if necessary. CBC test measures the levels of all components in your blood including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets; whereas Bone marrow biopsy looks at the concentrations of different type of stem cells present in your body particularly those related to WBCs production like granulocytes progenitors cell lines etc., A definitive diagnosis helps determine the appropriate treatment strategy for each patient/case individually based on his/her medical history and laboratory findings results.

Treatment

Depending upon severity/type of CN; physicians prescribe antibiotics such as penicillin both intravenous or oral forms depending upon symptoms & severity along with other medications such as high doses of G-CSF Granulocyte colony stimulating factor injections which helps stimulate white blood cell production by triggering bone marrow where most WBC types originate from producing new healthy WBCs within few days time helping boost up immunity power against infectious agents onslaught additionally removing some old weakened WBCs; however in case if it does not provide relief then appropriate vaccinations are recommended before getting infected.