Evaluation of the diagnostic value of platelet indices in pediatric acute appendicitis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
M Murat Oktay1, Mustafa Boğan2, Selcan Türker Çolak3
1Vocational High School, Hasan Kalyoncu University, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Insights
The mean platelet volume/platelet count (MPV/PC) ratio may aid in diagnosing pediatric acute appendicitis (AA). While a weak negative relationship exists with white blood cell (WBC) count, receiver operating curve analysis suggests its utility.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Hematology
- Surgical Diagnostics
Background:
- Pediatric acute appendicitis (AA) diagnosis is challenging due to age-related variations in abdominal findings.
- Current diagnostic methods for AA rely on clinical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging, but new parameters are needed.
- Platelet indices, such as mean platelet volume/platelet count (MPV/PC) ratio, are emerging as potential biomarkers in various inflammatory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic value of platelet indices, specifically the MPV/PC ratio, in pediatric patients with acute appendicitis (AA).
- To explore the relationship between MPV/PC ratio and white blood cell (WBC) count in the diagnosis of AA.
- To assess the sensitivity and specificity of MPV and MPV/PC ratio in identifying pediatric AA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study of 207 pediatric patients undergoing surgery for suspected AA.
- Patients were categorized into three groups: non-appendicitis, uncomplicated appendicitis, and complicated appendicitis based on surgical and histopathological results.
- Statistical analysis included comparing MPV/PC ratios across groups and performing receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis for WBC and MPV.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in MPV/PC ratio was observed among the non-AA, uncomplicated AA, and complicated AA groups.
- A significant negative correlation (r = -0.239) was found between white blood cell (WBC) count and MPV/PC ratio.
- Receiver operating curve analysis indicated that both WBC and MPV are significant in diagnosing pediatric AA, with MPV showing 61.8% specificity and 68.8% sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The MPV/PC ratio demonstrates a weak, negative association with WBC count in pediatric appendicitis.
- Despite the weak correlation, the MPV/PC ratio shows potential as a useful diagnostic parameter for pediatric AA, as suggested by ROC analysis.
- Further research may elucidate the precise role of platelet indices in the diagnostic algorithm for pediatric appendicitis.
Objective:
Abdominal examination findings in pediatric acute appendicitis (AA) significantly vary by age. Therefore, grading systems have been developed for diagnosing pediatric appendicitis, and laboratory and radiological findings have an important role in this diagnosis. However, there is a need to develop new parameters for diagnosing AA. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of platelet indices in AA.
Methods:
This retrospective, observational study included 207 pediatric patients who were admitted to the Emergency Department and operated on for AA. The patients were divided into three groups on the basis of their surgical and histopathological findings (non-AA, uncomplicated AA, and complicated AA).
Results:
There was no significant difference in the mean platelet volume/platelet count (MPV/PC) ratio among the groups. The white blood cell (WBC) count and the MPV/PC ratio showed a significant negative relationship (r = -0.239). The specificity for MPV was 61.8% and the sensitivity was 68.8%. Receiver operating curve analysis of WBC and MPV showed significance for diagnosing AA.
Conclusion:
There is a negative, but weak, relationship between the WBC count and the MPV/PC ratio. However, the MPV/PC ratio could be a useful parameter for diagnosing pediatric AA according to receiver operating curve analysis.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:29Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...