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MedPulse - International Medical Journal, ISSN 2348-2516 E-ISSN: 2348-1897
Volume 1, Issue 9, Sept 2014 pp 470-475
Research Article
Significance of thrombocytosis in lower respiratory tract infections
Usha D1, Sudha Rudrappa2
1Junior Resident, 2Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka, INDIA.
Abstract
Background and Objective: Infections of the respiratory tract are perhaps the most common human ailment. Its incidence in developing countries range between 20 and 30 percent. Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of mortality among under five children in most developing countries, accounting for almost 18 percent of under five deaths. Platelets have long been recognized for their importance in maintaining hemostasis and for their contribution to wound healing. However, platelets have historically been underappreciated for their contributions to antimicrobial host defense. The objective of this study was to determine the association of thrombocytosis with severity of clinical manifestations, complications and outcome of lower respiratory tract infections in children aged between 2 months and 5 years. Methods: The present study was a prospective study done over a period of 12 months on 220 children hospitalised with lower respiratory tract infections in the age group of 2 months to 5 years. In accordance with the platelet count, they were divided into children with thrombocytosis and children without thrombocytosis. Severity of lower respiratory tract infection, complications and outcome of the children with thrombocytosis and without thrombocytosis were analysed. Results: 70% percent of children were in the age group of 2 months to 12 months. Severity of pneumonia was more in infancy and common among low socioeconomic status. 35% of study population had thrombocytosis, out of which 68.8% of the children were in the age group of 2 months to 12 months. Association of thrombocytosis and leukocytosis with severity of pneumonia was significant. 83.3% of cases with pleural effusion had thrombocytosis. Mean duration of hospital stay was 4.52 days. There was significant association of thrombocytosis with prolonged hospital stay. Mortality was seen in 3.2% of cases and its association with thrombocytosis was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Thrombocytosis is a common finding among children with lower respiratory tract infection, especially in infancy. Children with thrombocytosis have more severe clinical condition and longer hospitalization. Platelet count increases as the severity of pneumonia increases. Importantly, thrombocytosis occurs almost exclusively in children with pleural effusion. Platelet count may be used as useful marker associated with severity of lower respiratory tract infection and its complications.
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