Value of the Platelet Indices as a Predictive Factor in Adult Thrombocytopenic Patients

ITP is a common auto-immune disease in which platelet count is reduced in peripheral blood leading to petechiae and hemorrhage. The platelet count is decreased because there are auto-antibodies in circulation against platelets that bind to platelets surface and destroy them in the spleen . Aplastic anemia is characterized by suppression of bone marrow function resulting in progressive pancytopenia. The hematology analyzers can now give us certain parameters that can give information about platelets. These parameters are referred to as platelet indices in literature. Platelet indices include mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) . They are sensitive, non-invasive, inexpensive biomarkers. MPV is the most commonly investigated platelet parameter, signifies the average size of platelets in the blood. PDW is a marker of platelet anisocytosis, which describes distribution of platelets produced by megakaryocytes and increases upon platelet activation. P-LCR is another marker of platelet activity, is a percentage of all platelets with a volume measuring over 12 fl circulating in the bloodstream .