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Thrombocytosis in childhood
1Department of Paediatric Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Singapore Medical Journal
|March 6, 1999
Summary
Secondary thrombocytosis is common and benign in children, often linked to infections like pneumonia or gastroenteritis. Primary thrombocytosis is rare in this age group and typically asymptomatic.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Clinical Pediatrics
Background:
- Thrombocytosis is frequently observed in infants and children.
- Limited pediatric literature exists on its incidence and clinical significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and clinical significance of thrombocytosis in pediatric patients.
- To identify common causes and outcomes of pediatric thrombocytosis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 10,288 admissions over 18 months.
- Reviewed and followed-up cases with platelet count > 600 x 10(9)/L.
- Serial platelet counts monitored until normalization.
Main Results:
- 135 cases (1.3%) of thrombocytosis identified, predominantly in males and infants under 1 year.
- 78% of cases associated with infection (bacterial: pneumonia; non-bacterial: gastroenteritis, Kawasaki disease).
- Platelet counts normalized within weeks, varying by etiology; no thrombocytosis-associated symptoms observed.
Conclusions:
- Primary thrombocytosis is rare in children.
- Secondary thrombocytosis is a common, benign finding in pediatric patients.
- Infections are the leading cause of secondary thrombocytosis in children.