Changes of Platelet Parameters in Patients with Head Injury and Its Clinical Significance

Objective To investigate the platelet parameters changes and its clinical significance in medium and severe head injury patients.Methods From March 2009 to March 2010,75 brain injury patients hospitalized within 24 h after injury were included in this study.The platelet number(Plt),mean platelet volume(MPV),platelet volume distribution width(PDW) and Glasgow coma scale were measured on the first,third,seventh and fourteenth day after injury respectively.We also measured the Plt,MPV and PDW of 60 healthy volunteers to make comparisons.Results The Plt counts were(106.21±36.31),(102.76±35.23),and(108.37±31.32)×109/L in the head injury patients on the first,third,and 7th day respectively,which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(210.41±68.56)×109/L](P0.05);the MPV and PDW values measured on the first day [MPV:(12.34±1.34) fL,PDW:(15.78±1.26) fL] and the third day [MPV:(11.21±1.52) fL,PDW:(17.67±1.16)fL] were both significantly lower than those of the control group(P0.05);There was no evidence of a difference in Plt,MPV and PDW between the two groups fourteen day after injury(P0.05);The Plt count was(96.85±36.52)×109/L in GCS≤8 group on the first day,which was significantly lower than that of GCS8 group [(123.85±35.78) fL,P0.05];However,the MPV and PDW values in GCS≤8 group [(MPV:(12.14±1.32) fL,PDW:(18.63±1.21) fL] were both significantly higher than those of GCS8 group [MPV:(9.78±1.34) fL,PDW:(16.72±1.34) fL,P0.05];The Plt count was correlated with GOS score positively(r=0.625,P0.05).Conclusions Medium and severe head injury patients are significantly associated with a lower Plt count and increased MPV and PDW values.The Plt parameters changes are correlated with the prognosis of patients.Therefore,the measurement of Plt parameters may contribute to the valuation of severity and prognosis,and provide new ideas for treatment of head injury patients.