Thrombocytosis Associated with Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Pediatric Population: A Two-year Retrospective Study

Background: Thrombocytosis is an inflammatory marker with various clinical conditions. Inflammatory thrombocytosis is related to increased levels of several cytokines such as thrombopoietin, interleukin-6, interleukin-1alpha, interleukin-8 and tumour necrosis factor alpha. The current study aimed at evaluating the incidence and significance of thrombocytosis associated with lower respiratory tract infection in paediatric population.

Materials and Methods: The current study was retrospective in nature, conducted over a period of 24 months on 200 children aged up to 6 year, hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infection. Patients were classified into 2 groups of patients with or without thrombocytosis.

Results: Out of 200 children, 110 (55%) had thrombocytosis and 90 (45%) not had thrombocytosis. Among children with thrombocytosis, 10 (9%) had pneumonia, 40(36.3%) had severe pneumonia, and 60 (54.5%) had very severe pneumonia. Out of 90 children without thrombocytosis, 50(55.5%) had pneumonia, 10 (11%) had severe pneumonia, and 30 (33%) had very severe pneumonia.

Conclusions: This study indicated that children with lower respiratory tract infection had continuously associated with thrombocytosis. In the group with high thrombocyte count, The duration of hospital stay and severity of pneumonia were higher.