Evaluation of Platelet Parameters and Acute Phase Reactants in Pediatric Patients Presenting with Fever

Abstract

Objective: Increased fever can suppress the reproduction of viral and bacterial agents and has also been shown to support body's acute phase reaction. Acute phase reactants, platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and plateletcrit are all parameters that can change during bacterial and viral infections. In this study, we aimed to evaluate platelet parameters and acute phase reactants in patients presenting with fever in childhood.

Material and Methods: Febrile patients admitted to our outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into three groups depending on duration of fever; Group 1, < 24 hours; Group 2, 24-48 hours; and Group 3, > 48 hours. The subjects in the control group had no fever, but were all ill. Mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein, albumin, and fibrinogen levels were measured for each patient.

Results: Two hundred seventy-two patients were included in the study. Platelet distribution width, plateletcrit, and platelet count were not statistically significantly different between the groups. However, mean platelet volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and albumin levels were statistically significantly different.

Conclusion: Acute phase reactants and mean platelet volume were affected by the duration of fever.