PURPOSE: There are few studies on normal values of platelet parameters as mean platelet volume (MPV), thrombocytocrite (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW) in children. The aim of this study is to determine the normal values of these platelet parameters in healthy Eastern Turkish children.
MATERIALS and METHODS: This study is realized in Healthy Child Clinic of Fırat University Medical Facullty on a total number of 1005 children, between 0 to 14 years old, who have normal growth and developmental features. Their blood samples were collected by venipuncture of the arm. Platelet values determined in an automatic counter (Advia 120, Japan) were used in the statistical analysis to calculate the mean and standart deviation. To determine the differentiations between age groups one way Anova was used and p<0.05 was accepted as significant.
RESULTS: Platelet count and PCT values are decreased in neonatal period. These values are increased slightly in infantile period and are decreased again in adolescent period. For MPV extremely low values are in neonatal period, and after these values increase from infantile to adolescent period. However PDW values are apparently increased in neonatal period and than go along in a constant interval.
CONCLUSIONS: The values of platelet indices obtained in this study were similar to different reports and may be used as reference values in pediatric patients with clinical problems related to these cells
