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Relationship Between Vitamin D Level and Platelet Parameters in Children With Viral Respiratory Infections
Gavriela Feketea1,2,3, Vasiliki Vlacha3,4, Raluca Maria Pop5
1Department of Haematology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Insights
Viral respiratory infections in children can reduce platelet size, linked to lower vitamin D levels. This platelet response differs between influenza and other viral infections, suggesting a role for vitamin D in immune processes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Platelets and vitamin D are recognized for their roles in inflammation and infectious diseases.
- Viral respiratory tract infections (VRTIs) present a significant health concern in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the platelet response to viral respiratory tract infections in children.
- To investigate the association between vitamin D levels and platelet indices during VRTIs.
- To differentiate platelet responses in influenza versus non-influenza viral infections.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of blood counts, including platelet count (PLT) and mean platelet volume (MPV), in children with influenza, non-influenza VRTIs, and healthy controls.
- Measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and vitamin D (vit D) levels.
- Statistical correlation of platelet indices with vitamin D, CRP, and ESR levels.
Main Results:
- The influenza group exhibited lower PLT and platelet mass (PLT*MPV).
- The non-influenza group showed significantly lower MPV, correlated with vitamin D levels, but not CRP or ESR.
- Vitamin D*MPV was significantly lower in the non-influenza group, indicating altered platelet activation related to vitamin D status.
Conclusions:
- Viral respiratory tract infections in children can decrease platelet size, likely by suppressing platelet activation.
- This platelet response is associated with low vitamin D levels.
- Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between vitamin D status and virus-platelet immune interactions.
Abstract:
Apart from their classical roles, both platelets and vitamin D play important roles in inflammation and infectious diseases. This study evaluated the platelet response to viral respiratory tract infection in children aged 4-16 years, 32 with influenza, 27 with non-influenza viral infection tested by nasopharyngeal swab and 21 healthy children of the same age. Blood count, including platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and other platelet indices, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and vitamin D (vit D) levels were compared. The influenza group showed lower PLT and platelet mass (PLT*MPV), and the non-influenza group showed significantly lower MPV, which was correlated with the vit D levels, but not CRP or ESR, and the value vit D*MPV was significantly lower in this group. These results revealed that platelet activation in viral respiratory tract infections in children, as measured by MPV, is related to the vit D level, with differences between influenza and non-influenza infection.
Conclusions:
Viral respiratory tract infection in children can diminish the platelet size most likely by suppressing the platelet activation. This response is associated with low levels of vit D. Whether the vit D status is associated with the virus-platelet immune/inflammatory process needs further investigation.
