To evaluate the clinical and etiological profile of patients presenting with pancytopenia in Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital, Dharmapuri

Introduction: The frequency of underlying pathology causing pancytopenia varies considerably depending upon various factors including geographic distribution and genetic disturbances. The severity of pancytopenia and the underlying pathology determine the management and prognosis of the patients with pancytopenia. The basic investigations in a suspected case of pancytopenia include Complete Blood Count with peripheral blood film and Reticulocyte count. Aim: To evaluate the clinical and etiological profile of patients presenting with pancytopenia. Materials and methods: A total of 65 patients were identified over a period of 12months were included in the study. Basic investigations were performed for each patient including Haemoglobin, Total leukocyte count, Platelet count, Reticulocyte count. Absolute values including packed cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were calculated for every patient. Results: 24.62% of patients had aplastic anemia. Of which 10 (62.5%) were male and 6 (37.5%) were female Mean age of patients with aplastic anemia is 33.43 yrs. Average Hb% of these patients are 4.78 gms%.56.25% of patients had thrombocytopenia < 100000 cells/chum Megaloblastic anaemia was more common in females (14) compared to males (11) in our study. While aplastic anemia is common in males (10) than females (6); both of which are statistically significant. Anisopoikilocytosis (92%) and hyper segmented neutrophils (92%) are the most common findings in peripheral smear of patients with megaloblastic anaemia. Hypersplenism, MDS, viral infections were common in males; while acute leukaemia's, myelofibrosis were common in females. Both of which is statistically insignificant. Conclusion: As much physicians should have a high index of suspicion for Vitamin B12 deficiency when dealing with patients presenting with symptoms of anemia such as pallor and weakness and/or diagnosed with pancytopenia on further workup. The finding of hyper segmented neutrophils in the peripheral smear will guide in the diagnosis of megaloblatic anemia.