Journal of Nepal Medical Association · Published 2026-04-30 · DOI 10.31729/jnma.v64i297.9447
Introduction: Pancytopenia is a hematological condition characterized by a reduction in two of three, or all three blood cell lines. It can be caused by bone marrow failure, nutritional deficiencies, infections, autoimmune diseases, and malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical profile and etiological spectrum of pancytopenia among adults in eastern Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital from December 2024 to November 2025. A total of 107 patients aged ≥18 years with pancytopenia were included. Detailed clinical history, examination, hematological parameters, peripheral smear, and bone marrow aspiration findings were recorded. Results: The mean age of patients was 43.50 ± 18.00 years, with the majority in the 31–40-year age group. Females constituted 61.68% of the study population. Fever (67.29%), weakness (57.94%), and loss of appetite (47.66%) were the most common symptoms; pallor was observed in 74.77% of patients. Bone marrow examination showed hypercellular marrow in 50.47% of cases. Infection was the most common etiology (34.58%), followed by vitamin B₁₂ deficiency anemia (11.21%), aplastic anemia (9.35%), hematological malignancies (8.41%), and autoimmune disorders (5.61%). Conclusions: Infections and nutritional deficiencies were the leading causes of pancytopenia. Early diagnosis and management of reversible causes, supported by bone marrow examination, are important to improve outcomes in resource-limited settings.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
Read the article at the publisher →