Evaluation of mean platelet volume and its ratio over platelet count in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy and mean platelet volume (MPV) and MPV/platelet count ratio in children, and to evaluate the impact of adenotonsillectomy on these two parameters.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study consisted of 73 child patients (38 boys, 35 girls; mean age 8.6±3.3 years, range 2 to 17 years) with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy who applied to Gaziosmanpaşa University Faculty of Medicine, Ear, Nose and Throat policlinics due to witnessed apnea and snoring in January 2011 and January 2013. Also, 56 age and sex matched pediatric patients (28 boys, 26 girls; mean age 8.0±3.2 years; range 3 to 13 years) who admitted to our clinic due to reasons besides OSAS were included in the study as control group. Preoperative and postoperative third month hemoglobin, white blood cell, thrombocyte count, and MPV values of the patients were recorded.

RESULTS: Although ratio of MPV/platelet count was higher in patient group than in control group, the difference was not statistically significant. Mean platelet volume level was 7.68±1.07 fL in patient group and 7.21±0.84 fL in control group. Preoperative MPV level in patient group was significantly higher than that in control group (p<0.05). A statistically significant decrease was detected in postoperative third month MPV level and platelet count compared with preoperative MPV and platelet count (7.68±1.07 fL and 7.17±0.97 fL, respectively; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: High MPV and MPV/platelet count in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy may be an important risk factor for cardiopulmonary and cerebrovascular morbidities which may develop both in childhood and in adulthood. Adenotonsillectomy may reduce this risk significantly.