Does body mass index affect mean platelet volume in childhood and adolescence?

Aim: Studies concerning relationship between obesity in childhood and mean platelet volume (MPV) are limited to adolescence period. Affect of obesity on MPV in younger children and changes in MPV levels in underweight has not been established. We aimed to evaluate MPV levels in obese, normal weight and underweight children. Material and Methods: Three year-old period of medical records of patients attending pediatric endocrinology are examined retrospectively. Patients are categorized as obese, normal and underweight for age, according to body mass indexes. MPV levels are compared between groups. Results: We detected that MPV levels were low in underweight children when compared with obese and normal weight group, which was not compatible with literature. However all levels were within normal limits. Conclusion: We established that insulin resistance does not affect MPV levels. More studies are needed concerning the use of MPV level in clinical practise