A study of laboratory profile of fever with thrombocytopenia in adult patients at C.U. Shah Medical College, Surendranagar

Abstract

Background and objectives: Infection is the commonest cause of thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia associated with fever helps to narrow differential diagnosis and management of fever. It also helps to know the various complications of thrombocytopenia and its management. Methods: 500 patients aged >18 years with fever and thrombocytopenia between July 2013 – October 2013 were included for this study. Results: Infection was the commonest cause of thrombocytopenia and malaria was the commonest infections. Bleeding manifestations were seen. Petechiae/ purpura as the commonest bleeding manifestation followed by spontaneous bleeding. Conclusion: Infections, particularly malaria was the commonest cause of fever with thrombocytopenia. In majority of patients thrombocytopenia was transient and asymptomatic but in significant number of cases there was bleeding manifestations. Spontaneous bleeding was noted in platelet count of < 20,000 in majority of patients, petechiae/purpura was seen in platelet count in range of 50,000-1, 00, 000. On treating the specific cause drastic improvement in platelet count was noted during discharge and further follow –up.