Overview
Adult idiopathic neutropenia (AIN) is a blood disorder in which adults have a persistently low number of neutrophils — a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in fighting bacterial infections. The word "idiopathic" means the cause is unknown; doctors cannot find an underlying disease, medication, or genetic reason for the low neutrophil count. It is sometimes also called chronic idiopathic neutropenia of adults or chronic benign neutropenia. Neutrophils are your body's first line of defense against bacteria and fungi. When their numbers drop below normal (a condition called neutropenia), you may become more vulnerable to infections, particularly of the skin, mouth, gums, and respiratory tract. However, many people with adult idiopathic neutropenia experience surprisingly few serious infections, and the condition often follows a relatively mild course. Some patients have no symptoms at all and are only diagnosed after a routine blood test reveals a low white blood cell count. Treatment depends on how low the neutrophil count is and how often infections occur. Many patients need no treatment and are simply monitored with regular blood tests. For those who develop frequent or severe infections, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), such as filgrastim, can be used to boost neutrophil production. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat or prevent infections. The condition is considered chronic, meaning it lasts for months to years, but it is generally not life-threatening.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Frequent bacterial infectionsRecurring mouth sores or ulcersGum disease or swollen gumsSkin infections or boilsSore throat or throat infectionsFeverFatigue or tirednessSinus infectionsLung infections or pneumoniaUrinary tract infectionsSlow wound healingNo symptoms at all in mild cases
Clinical phenotype terms (15)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Adult idiopathic neutropenia.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Adult idiopathic neutropenia at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Adult idiopathic neutropenia.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Adult idiopathic neutropenia.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Adult idiopathic neutropenia.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Adult idiopathic neutropenia
No recent news articles for Adult idiopathic neutropenia.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How low is my neutrophil count, and what does that mean for my infection risk?,How often should I have blood tests to monitor my neutrophil levels?,What signs of infection should I watch for, and when should I go to the emergency room?,Do I need treatment with G-CSF, or can we safely monitor my condition?,Are there any medications or supplements I should avoid because they could lower my counts further?,Should I get any special vaccinations or avoid live vaccines?,Is there a chance my neutropenia could improve on its own or get worse over time?
Common questions about Adult idiopathic neutropenia
What is Adult idiopathic neutropenia?
Adult idiopathic neutropenia (AIN) is a blood disorder in which adults have a persistently low number of neutrophils — a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in fighting bacterial infections. The word "idiopathic" means the cause is unknown; doctors cannot find an underlying disease, medication, or genetic reason for the low neutrophil count. It is sometimes also called chronic idiopathic neutropenia of adults or chronic benign neutropenia. Neutrophils are your body's first line of defense against bacteria and fungi. When their numbers drop below normal (a condition called neutropen
How is Adult idiopathic neutropenia inherited?
Adult idiopathic neutropenia follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Adult idiopathic neutropenia typically begin?
Typical onset of Adult idiopathic neutropenia is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.