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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
Immature platelet fraction in patients diagnosed with COVID-19
Neha Parashar1, Rashmi J Gupta1, Divya Gupta2
1Department of Clinical Pathology, Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Insights
COVID-19 patients with low platelet counts showed higher immature platelet fraction (IPF), indicating platelet destruction. This suggests thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 is likely due to peripheral platelet consumption.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Virology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is linked to thromboembolic events and thrombocytopenia.
- Thrombocytopenia can result from increased platelet destruction/consumption or decreased bone marrow production.
- Immature platelet fraction (IPF) serves as an indicator of peripheral platelet destruction and consumption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immature platelet fraction (IPF) in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of laboratory records from 68 COVID-19 patients admitted to a Delhi tertiary care hospital.
- Platelet parameters including platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), IPF, and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) were analyzed.
- Statistical significance was determined using SPSS Version 25, with P < 0.05 considered significant.
Main Results:
- Mild thrombocytopenia was observed in 40% of COVID-19 patients.
- Lower platelet counts correlated with significantly higher IPF, MPV, PDW, and P-LCR.
- A significant inverse relationship was found between IPF and platelet count (P < 0.05).
- IPF showed a significant positive correlation with MPV and P-LCR (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients is likely attributed to peripheral platelet destruction and consumption.
- Elevated IPF levels may serve as a biomarker for platelet consumption in COVID-19-associated thrombocytopenia.
Background:
The recent pandemic caused by the newly identified virus, SARS-Cov-2 is associated with thromboembolic events. Patients infected with COVID-19 have been found to have thrombocytopenia. A decrease in platelet count may be caused by increased destruction and consumption of platelets or by decreased production of platelets in the bone marrow. Immature platelet fraction (IPF) is a new platelet parameter that is an indicator for peripheral destruction and consumption of platelets.
Objectives:
To assess the immature platelet fraction (IPF) in patients infected with COVID-19.
Materials And Methods:
The present study is a retrospective study where secondary data obtained from previous laboratory records of COVID-positive patients admitted at a tertiary care hospital in Delhi from 4 January to 4 February 2022 was analyzed. Sixty-eight COVID-positive patients were included. Platelet parameters included from the automated hematology analyzer Mindray were platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), immature platelet fraction (IPF), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR). Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
In the present study mild thrombocytopenia was noted in 40% of the patients infected with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital. The median platelet count in these patients was found to be 91,000/mm 3 (64,000-1,31,000). Low platelet count was associated with a significantly higher IPF, MPV, PDW, P-LCR, and a significantly lower PCT as compared to patients infected with COVID-19 with normal platelet count. There was a significant increase in IPF with a decrease in platelet count ( P value < 0.05). A significant increase in IPF was noted with an increase in MPV and P-LCR ( P value < 0.05).
Interpretation And Conclusion:
The present study suggests that thrombocytopenia in patients infected with COVID-19 may probably be due to peripheral destruction and consumption of platelets.
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