BONE MARROW EVALUATION IN PATIENTS WITH PANCYTOPENIA-A CLINICO-HAEMATOLOGICAL STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTH INDIA

BACKGROUND Pancytopenia is relatively common haematological entity. There are only few thorough studies available in both Indian and western literature related to pancytopenia. We conducted this study to evaluate the haematological and bone marrow findings in patients with pancytopenia and the data would be helpful in planning the diagnostic and therapeutic approach. We wanted to study the clinical presentation, causes of pancytopenia and evaluate the cases of pancytopenia by peripheral smear and bone marrow aspiration. We also wanted to determine the aetiology, clinical and haematological features of pancytopenia. METHODS It was a prospective study and was carried out in the Haematology unit, Department of Pathology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur over a period of 2 years from January 2017 to December 2018. In this period a total of 90 cases of pancytopenia were reported and patients of all age groups were included. Age and sex incidence, clinical examination, haematological findings, bone marrow aspiration findings were evaluated. RESULTS Megaloblastic anaemia (40%) is the most common cause of pancytopenia followed by hypoplastic/aplastic anaemia (26.6 %) and haematological malignancies (13.3%). Maximum number of patients was in the age group of 11-20 yrs. followed by 31-40 yrs. in this study. CONCLUSIONS In India, Vit B12 and folic acid deficiency (nutritional deficiency) is the leading cause of pancytopenia followed by hypoplastic/aplastic anaemia. Detailed primary haematological investigations along with bone marrow aspiration helps to diagnose and rule out various causes of pancytopenia. It also helps in planning further investigations and management.