Correlation between Platelet Profile (Mean Platelet Volume, Platelet Volume Distribution Width and Plateletcrit) with Procalcitonin and C-reactive Protein in Critically Ill Children

The early detection of sepsis can be highly beneficial for the treatment and prognosis of critically ill children. Bacterial culture is the gold standard of bacterial infection, but it takes considerable time to get the result. Some biomarkers had been used as infection markers in children, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), full blood count with differential count and procalcitonin level. Platelet profile had been linked to infection in many studies. Platelet profile consists of mean platelet volume, platelet volume distribution width and plateletcrit. Platelet profiles are relatively inexpensive and widely available examination. It is routinely measured by automated hematology analysers in routine full blood examination, but its clinical importance and application is still limited, especially in children. The aim of this study is to analyse the correlations between platelet profiles with procalcitonin and CRP in critically ill children. A cross sectional study was conducted at Haji Adam Malik Hospital Medan, Indonesia. Patients admitted to paediatric intensive care unit, aged 1 month to 18 years were recruited. Platelet profile, procalcitonin and CRP were measured within 24 hours after admission at PICU. The most common indication of PICU admissions were central nervous system (27.9%) and respiratory (25.3%) disorders. Both MPV (r=0.217; p=0.045) and PDW (r=0.23; p=0.033) had statistically significant correlation with procalcitonin, while none of platelet indicators had significant correlation with CRP. PDW and MPV had statistically significant correlation with procalcitonin as a marker of bacterial infection, their roles as an initial marker of bacterial infection needs further research.