An Evaluation of Platelet Parameters and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratios in Children with Acute Rheumatic Fever

Abstract

Aim: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an inflammatory disease developing as a response to group A streptococcal infection. Platelet parameters and neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) have been used as markers of inflammation severity in various inflammatory diseases in recent years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate platelet parameters and NLRs of patients with a diagnosis of ARF under monitoring by our clinic, and to compare these with a healthy control group.

Materials and Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with ARF (37 with carditis and 13 without carditis) and 50 age-and sex-matched healthy children were included in the study. The subjects' demographic characteristics, complete blood count values, acute phase reactants, and transthoracic echocardiography findings were recorded.

Results: NLR, leukocyte, neutrophil, and platelet numbers were statistically significantly higher in the ARF group than in the control group (p< 0.001), while hemoglobin, lymphocyte, and mean platelet volume (MPV) values were significantly lower (p< 0.001). No statistically significant difference in MPV, plateletcrit (PCT) or NLR values was observed between the ARF subgroups with or without carditis. Platelet distribution width (PDW) was significantly higher in those ARF patients with carditis (p=0.003). Correlation analysis revealed that platelet count was positively correlated with leukocyte and neutrophil numbers, MPV was negatively correlated with leukocyte numbers, and PCT was significantly positively correlated with leukocyte and neutrophil numbers. PDW exhibited negative correlation with lymphocyte count and positive correlation with NLR.

Conclusion: MPV values were significantly lower and NLR values significantly higher in patients with ARF. Thus, it is thought that these parameters can be used as markers in patients diagnosed with ARF.