THROMBOCYTOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH INFECTION IN CHILDREN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM RURAL TAMILNADU

Abstract

Background: Thrombocytosis refers to an increase in the number of platelets to levels above
400,000/μL. This condition is frequently observed in infancy and youth, affecting between 3 to
13% of children. The present study was undertaken to identify the pattern and severity of
thrombocytosis in children with various infections and to analyze mean platelet volume (MPV)
and platelet distribution width (PDW) in those patients.
Methods: This study was a hospital based analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the
Department of Pediatrics, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital,
Perambalur. The study included 300 children with thrombocytosis. They were divided into two
groups after confirming thrombocytosis by peripheral smear. Group 1 included children with
thrombocytosis due to infections, and Group 2 included children with thrombocytosis due to
other causes.
Results: In the present study, Out of 300 patients with thrombocytosis, 203 patients (67.6%) had infection associated thrombocytosis (group 1).Infection associated thrombocytosis was more common in children aged less than 1 year (37%) with a predominance in boys (1.3:1). The platelet count was significantly higher in group 1 than group 2. Among infections, respiratory tract infections (43.8%) were the most common. The majority of the children had only mild thrombocytosis. The comparison of platelet indices among two groups didn’t show any significant differences [mean of MPV in group 1 (7.48 ± 0.89) vs. group 2 (7.47 ± 0.87) (p0.842) and mean PDW of group 1 (16.59 ± 0.73) vs group 2 (16.52± 0.80)].
Conclusion: Thrombocytosis was a frequent finding in children with infections, especially
respiratory tract infections, and in boys younger than 1 year. Platelet count was significantly
higher in patients with infection associated thrombocytosis, and the presence of fever is
significantly correlating with the severity of thrombocytosis. There was no statistically
significant difference in platelet indices.