Abstract
I examined platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) on healthy children. Platelet count increased during the first week following the birth of a baby, was maximal at 2-3 weeks old and remained at a high level from 1 to 6 months of age. Thereafter, platelet count was decreasing with age. MPV was 8.03 μ3, 8.31 μ3, 8.08 μ3, 7.62 μ3, 7.82μ3, 8.10 μ3, 8.53 μ3 and 8.62 μ3, in normal babies with full term, in premature babies, in normal individuals at the age of 1-6 months, 1/2-2 years, 2-6 years, 6-12 years, 12-16 years and in normal adults, respectively. MPV was larger at neonatal period and 1-6 months old than those at 6 months-2 years old and smallest at 6 months-2 years old and gradually increasing with age. Therefore there was an inverse relationship between the number of platelets and their MPV. PDW was wide, with number of platelets at 100-200 × 103/μl. Also PDW at 1-6 months old was significantly wider than those at any other ages. No significance was seen regarding PDW over 200 × 103/μl of platelets for children after the age of 6 months. Its mean PDW was 16.17-16.31%.
