Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
A Uniform Shear Assay for Human Platelet and Cell Surface Receptors via Cone-plate Viscometry
Published on: June 5, 2019
Diagnostic value of platelet indices in children with leukemia
Suleimman A Alsweedan1, Abdallah Al-Shurman, Al-Sheyyab Mahmoud
1Department of Pediatrics, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. sweedan@just.edu.jo
Insights
Platelet distribution width (PDW) was significantly lower in children with leukemia, suggesting its potential as a screening tool. However, mean platelet volume (MPV) and PDW did not differentiate leukemia subtypes or serve as follow-up markers.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Platelet indices, including mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW), are increasingly studied for their potential roles in various diseases.
- Leukemia in children presents a significant health challenge, necessitating effective diagnostic and monitoring tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of MPV and PDW as diagnostic screening tools for childhood leukemia.
- To determine if MPV and PDW can serve as surrogate markers for monitoring leukemia progression or response to treatment in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted involving 47 children diagnosed with leukemia before chemotherapy and 47 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
- Automated blood counters were used to measure MPV and PDW in all participants.
Main Results:
- MPV was higher in the leukemia group compared to controls, but this difference was not statistically significant.
- PDW was significantly lower in children with leukemia (P<0.001) compared to healthy controls.
- No significant differences in MPV or PDW were observed between acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloblastic leukemia subtypes.
Conclusions:
- While PDW showed a significant decrease in pediatric leukemia patients and may hold potential for screening, MPV did not show significant differences.
- Platelet indices (MPV and PDW) are not suitable for differentiating between leukemia subtypes in children.
- Further multi-institutional research is warranted to fully elucidate the clinical significance and role of platelet indices in childhood leukemia.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether platelet indices [mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW)] could serve as diagnostic tools for screening or as surrogate marker for follow-up in children with leukemia. Blood samples were obtained from 47 patients with leukemia at diagnosis before chemotherapy (mean age: 67 mo; 30 males and 17 females) and from 47 healthy controls (mean age: 59 mo; 27 males and 20 females). We measured the blood platelet indices using an automated counter. MPV was higher in the leukemia group, but it was not statistically significant. However, PDW was significantly lower (P<0.001) in leukemia group. There was no significant difference in the MPV or PDW in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia versus acute myeloblastic leukemia. In conclusion, we found no significant difference in the MPV between the 2 groups. PDW proposed as indicators of certain pathologic conditions and it seems possible to use PDW as screening. However, platelet indices (MPV and PDW) cannot be used as indicator to discriminate between the subtypes of leukemia in children. The potential role of platelet indices in leukemia remains to be investigated by a multi-institutional level to verify the possible clinical significance of this finding.
