nadir

na·dir

(nā'dēr),

The lowest value of blood counts after chemotherapy.

[M.E., Med. L., lowest point, fr. Arabic nazīr, opposite (the zenith)]

nadir

[nā′dər]

the lowest point, such as the blood count after it has been depressed by chemotherapy.

na·dir

(nā'dēr)

The lowest value of blood counts after chemotherapy.

[M.E., Med. L., lowest point, fr. Arabic nazīr, opposite (the zenith)]

nadir

(nā′dĕr) [ME. fm. Arabic]

1. A low point in any measurement.

2. The lowest concentration of blood cells (esp. white blood cells) found after taking a drug that suppresses the bone marrow. The term is usually used for the low blood cell counts that occur after cancer chemotherapy. When the absolute neutrophil count reaches a nadir below 1000 cells/mm³, the risk of life-threatening infections increases dramatically.