Platelet parameters in children with upper urinary tract infection: is there a specific response?

Ren Fail. 2008;30(4):377-81. doi: 10.1080/08860220801947389.

Abstract

Although complete blood count is routinely ordered in most upper urinary tract infections (UTI), and information regarding the patient's platelet indices is made available without added cost, the relationship between platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV) and specific platelet responses to different infectious agents has not been extensively characterized in UTI. The objectives of this study were to examine platelet counts and platelet indices in children with culture-proven upper UTI to determine if there are organism-specific platelet responses. A retrospective analysis of data from all pediatric urine samples processed at Fatih University Medical School microbiology laboratory was undertaken for a period of two years (January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2006). Of the 200 patients with positive urine cultures, 146 (73%) were infected with gram-negative bacteria and 54 (27%) grew gram-positive bacteria. The platelet count during the episode of upper UTI and the incidence of thrombocytosis was significantly higher with the gram-positive infections than with the gram-negative infections or controls (p < 0.05). A statistically significant higher MPV was detected in the subjects with upper UTI (p < 0.05). Also, our data showed a statistically significant increase in MPV with gram-positive infections compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, based on the importance of the hemostatic component in the pathophysiology of infections, our findings of platelet count and MPV and predictivity of the type of the organism would suggest the usefulness of the routine measurements in children with upper UTI.

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / administration & dosage
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Hospitalized
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Platelet Count*
  • Probability
  • Reference Values
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Thrombocytosis / diagnosis*
  • Thrombocytosis / epidemiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinalysis
  • Urinary Tract Infections / diagnosis*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Urine / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary
  • Biomarkers