Clinical Importance of Platelet Indices in Children with Ig-A Vasculitis (Henoch-Sch？nlein Purpura)

Aim: Ig-A vasculitis (IgAV) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis in children, characterized by self-limiting skin, joint, gastrointestinal, and kidney involvement. In this study, we aimed to investigate clinical, demographic and laboratory characteristics of patients with IgAV, and evaluate their association with platelet indices. Materials and Methods: The records of patients who admitted to the pediatric emergency clinic and diagnosed as IgAV were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' age, gender, complaints, clinical and laboratory findings were recorded. 48 age- and sex-matched healthy children who had admitted to a healthy child polyclinic were included as the control group. Results: 48 patients were diagnosed as IgAV. 33 (68.8%) of the patients admitted with skin rash, 11 (22.9%) with joint pain or swelling, and four (8.3%) with abdominal pain. All of the patients developed classic IgAV rash during follow-up. Joint, gastrointestinal system and renal involvement was observed in 38 (79.2%), 16 (33.3%) and 6 (12.5%) of the patients, rspectively. All of the six patients with renal involvement were male, which was statistically significant (p: 0.024). When hemogram results were compared PLT levels were found to be significantly (p: 0.001) higher and MPV levels significantly lower (p: 0.001) in the patient group than the controls. The mean CRP and ESR levels were found to be significantly (p: 0.001) higher in the patient group. Conclusion: MPV levels were significantly lower in patients with IgAV. There is a need for wider and multicentered prospective studies to explain the clinical importance of platelet indices in patients with IgAV