Total white cell counts were reviewed in paediatric in-patients with viral gastroenteritis, bacterial gastroenteritis, delayed recovery following acute gastroenteritis, viral lower respiratory tract infections and cow’s milk protein intolerance. The prevalence of neutrophilia was not different in the five groups. Neutropenia was common in association with the presence of viruses in stool or sputum, and was significantly more common in these groups than in patients with bacterial gastroenteritis and cow’s milk protein intolerance. Neutropenia has not been previously reported in viral gastroenteritis. It was transient in nature and not related to age, sex, weight or antibiotic treatment; no pancreatic disorders were noted.
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