Pancytopenia (Deficiency of all elements in the blood)

Since the cause of primary idiopathic pancytopenia is unknown, all that can be done is to support life by repeated whole blood transfusions, and give the patient ample amounts of all known blood producing factors, such as vitamin B 12, Folic Acid, iron, and Vitamin C.

If bleeding is troublesome, platelet transfusions may be of great value. In addition steroid treatment may be tried. A synthetic derivative of Testosterone, Oxymethalone, has given a good response in some children and adults.

Treatment with repeated blood transfusions, oral antibiotics, and haematinics must be continued for at least six months, before being abandoned, as recovery occurs in a small proportion of cases.

If the cause of a secondary pancytopenia can be found and treated, the patient may recover, provided the bone marrow has not been irretrievably damaged. In other respects the treatment is the same as for primary pancytopenia.