Reduction in mean platelet volume in children with acute bronchiolitis

Aim: Platelets which are known to play a role in inflamation change their shapes when they are activated and this change is reflected in mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width values. Therefore, the mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width values are considered to be beneficial parameters for the diagnosis and treatment of many inflammatory diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate platelet volume indices in children with acute bronchiolitis. Material and Methods: A total of 514 infants who were below the age of 2 years old were evaluated in this study. Three hundred thirteen of these infants were diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis patients and 201 were healthy children. The patients were separated into four groups as mild, moderate, severe bronchiolitis and the control patient group. The groups were evaluated in terms of significant differences in the values of mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all results. Results: The mean platelet volume was found to be 6.8 +/- 0.6 fL in the patients with mild bronchiolitis attack, 6.7 +/- 0.6 fL in the patients with moderate bronchiolitis attack, 6.5 +/- 0.5 fL in the patients with severe bronchiolitis attack and 7.3 +/- 1.1 fL in the control group. The mean platalet volume was statistically significantly lower in the mild, moderate and severe bronchiolitis attack groups compared to the control group (p=0.000). The platelet distribution width was found to be 17.2%+/- 0.83 in the mild bronchiolitis attack group, 17.1%+/- 0.96 in the moderate bronchiolitis attack group, 17.3%+/- 0.87 in the severe bronchiolitis attack group and 16.9 +/- 1.6% in the control patient group. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.159). The platelet count was statistically significantly higher in the mild, moderate and severe bronchiolitis attack groups compared to the control group (p=0.000). Conclusions: The mean platalet volume is decreased in patients with acute bronchiolitis. It is not a useful criterion in determining the severity of bronchiolitis attack. It is important that clinicians evaluating hemogram results to also interprete this variable.