Platelet count and risk of severe illness in hospitalised children with Influenza-Like illness

Sergei Elber-Dorozko, Liya Kerem, Dana Wolf, Shlomit Brodie, Yackov Berkun, Rebecca Brooks, Oded Breuer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: To examine the clinical significance of thrombocytosis (platelets > 500 × 109/L) in admitted children with an influenza-like illness. Methods: We performed a database analysis consisting of patients evaluated at our medical centers with an influenza-like illness between 2009 and 2013. We included paediatric patients and examined the association between platelet count, respiratory viral infections, and admission outcomes (hospital length of stay and admission to the paediatric intensive care unit) using regression models adjusting for multiple variables. Results: A total of 5171 children were included in the study cohort (median age 0.8 years; interquartile range, 0.2–1.8; 58% male). Younger age, and not the type of viral infection, was associated with a high platelet count (p < 0.001). Elevated platelet count independently predicted admission outcomes (p ≤ 0.05). The presence of thrombocytosis was associated with an increased risk for a prolonged length of stay (odds ratio = 1.2; 95% Confidence interval = 1.1 to 1.4; p = 0.003) and admission to the paediatric intensive care unit (odds ratio = 1.5; 95% Confidence interval = 1.1 to 2.0; p = 0.002). Conclusion: In children admitted with an influenza-like illness, a high platelet count is an independent predictor of admission outcomes. Platelet count may be used to improve risk assessment and management decisions in these paediatric patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2191-2198
Number of pages8
JournalActa Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
Volume112
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica.

Keywords

  • admission outcomes
  • influenza-like illness
  • platelets
  • respiratory syncytial virus

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