Changes in the mean platelet volume (MPV) and the platelet count may correlate with the severity of an infection. The changes should be interpreted together with other findings and not in isolation.
Platelet findings that may be associated with sepsis or other severe infection:
(1) thrombocytopenia (often due to consumption, as in DIC or Gram-negative sepsis)
(2) increase in MPV over time, reflecting release of "young" platelets due to increased production and release
delta MPV =
= (current MPV in femtoliters) - (baseline MPV in femtoliters)
Gorelik et al associated a delta MPV >= 0.6 fL between admission and discharge was associated with more severe pneumonia.
Isgruder et al reported that in children with sepsis delta MPV at 72 hours versus admission was higher in nonsurvivors than survivors (1.03 +/- 5 fL versus 0.5 +/- 0.2 fL).
The increase in MPV may be absent or low in patients with hypoplastic marrow with reduced megakaryocytes.
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