Background : Platelet indices such as platelet distribution width, mean platelet volume and platelecrit are the chief platelet related parameters besides platelet counts, that have been utilized as prognostic and diagnostic markers in the study of acute febrile illnesses associated with thrombocytopenia.

Aim : To evaluate the role of platelet indices in dengue patients and their variation in the natural history of the disease.

Methodology : This observational hospital-based study evaluated the platelet indices of 186 dengue patients at the time of admission, clinical recovery and discharge. Patients were categorized into groups having different grades of thrombocytopenia and serial platelet indices in different groups was studied over the course of hospitalization.

Results : Platelet count improved significantly from admission to discharge (P<0.001). The MPV and plateletcrit also increased significantly at the discharge compared to the admission levels (P<0.001). The PDW was seen to increase from 16.83fL to 17.47fL (P<0.0001) during the admission to discharge period. Platelet count was positively correlated with the mean platelet volume (R=0.20, P=0.0068) and plateletcrit levels (R=0.94, P<0.0001). Admission values of MPV and Plateletcrit were significantly lower and PDW were significantly high in patients with lowest platelet counts (less than twenty thousand/mm3) compared to patients with platelet counts>1lakh/mm3. 

Conclusion : Monitoring of platelet indices provides additional insight in early prediction of the severity of disease in terms of degree of imminent thrombocytopenia.

Neekesh Baweja is currently pursuing DM Neurology from Bombay Hospital and Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai. He has completed his MD General Medicine from Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun and MBBS from GMC Amritsar.