Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Rational use of Platelets during Dengue Malaria Epidemics

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Sameer Arun Kadam1 , Kirti Pardeshi2 , Nakul Yogesh Sampat3 , Arvind Valand4 , Yogini Patel5

Abstract

Aim: Overcome Platelet shortage during the epidemics Of Dengue and Malaria. Objective: To identify the need of platelet transfusion in dengue/malaria cases with thrombocytopenia and fever. Background: Critical shortage of platelets in the city has led to preferential transfusion of platelets. 600 patients were tested for NS1, screened for platelets count, mean platelet volume (MPV), IGG and IGM.A significant difference in Chi Sq (p < 0.05) value was observed in patients with low platelet count, high MPV, not associated with overt bleeding as compared with patients with low platelet count, normal mean platelet volume and overt bleeding. A regular follow up of platelet count test at six hourly interval revealed that the crisis period for an active dengue patient persists only for “twenty four hours”, and it can be easily overcome with simple intravenous (IV) saline transfusion for flushing and/or oral hydration. Conclusion: we can avoid transfusion in around 60.2% of patients who are tested positive for NS1 dengue parameters with low platelets, and thereby overcoming the platelet shortage in management of dengue in India.

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