The role of mean platelet volume as an inflammatory marker in children with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that platelets are involved in the inflammatory process. Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been frequently used as an inflammatory marker in various diseases associated with inflammation. The role of MPV in children with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CU), however, has not yet been evaluated. In this study we compared MPV levels between children with and without CU. METHODS Children with CU and age-matched healthy children were enrolled in the study. Complete blood count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed in children with CU whilst MPV levels were compared between children with and without CU. RESULTS Forty children with CU (19 males; mean age: 8.0 ± 3.8 year; range: 3-15 years) and 40 healthy children (17 males; mean age: 6.9 ± 3.0 year; range: 2-14 year) were enrolled on the prospective, case-control study. MPV (fL) levels were significantly lower in children with CU when compared to healthy children (7.42 ± 0.77 and 7.89 ± 0.65, respectively; p=0.004). Both mean platelet number and median CRP levels were significantly higher in children with CU when compared to healthy children (p=0.008, p=0.014, respectively). CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate the role of MPV as an inflammatory marker in children with CU. A decline in MPV may be considered as an indicator of inflammation in children with CU.