Deficiency of white blood cells

• A. Leukopenia
• B. Leukemia
• C. Anemia
• D. Thrombocytopenia

Answer: (A)

A deficiency of white blood cells is called leukopenia. It literally means a low white blood cell count, which weakens the body's ability to fight infections. Leukopenia increases infection risk because the immune system has fewer cells to respond to invading organisms.

Leukemia, in contrast, is a cancer of white blood cells characterized by uncontrolled, often abnormal production of WBCs, not a simple deficiency. Anemia refers to too few red blood cells or hemoglobin, affecting oxygen transport, while thrombocytopenia is a shortage of platelets, impacting clotting.