Evaluating the Prognostic Significance of Bone Marrow Megakaryocyte Count in Patients with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Background: Previous studies about the relationship between bone marrow megakaryocyte count and the chronicity of ITP has yielded paradoxical results. The aim of the present study was to investigate any relationship between the megakaryocyte count in the bone marrow and the chronicity of ITP. Materials and Methods: This study was performed to compare the primary bone marrow aspiration megakaryocyte count, obtained early upon the diagnosis of ITP, between chronic ITP (case) and acute ITP (control) groups among patients aged less than 15 years old, at Mofid Hospital, Tehran and Amir-Kabir Hospital, Arak. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 18. The project was approved by local Ethics committee and written informed consent was obtained from all parents. Results: Three hundred and seven patients with ITP including 212 patients with acute ITP (69.1 %) and 95 patients with chronic ITP (30.9 %) participated in the study. The bone marrow megakaryocyte count was increased in 263 patients (85.7 %), decreased in 7 patients (2.3 %), and normal in 37 patients (12.1%). Among 212 patients with acute ITP, the bone marrow megakaryocyte count was increased in 182 patients (85.8 %), decreased in 5 patients (2.4%), and normal in 25 patients (11.8 %). Among 95 patients with chronic ITP, the bone marrow megakaryocyte count was increased in 81 patients (85.3 %), decreased in 2 patients (2.1 %), and normal in 12 patients (12.6%). There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding the megakaryocyte count. Conclusion: Based on our findings it seems that the variant of bone marrow megakaryocyte count is not related to the chronicity among patients with ITP. Keywords: Bone marrow aspiration, children, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, megakaryocytic