Is fresh frozen plasma effective for thrombocytopenia in adults with dengue fever? A prospective randomised double blind controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Thrombocytopenia is a common problem which causes concern and complications in dengue fever. If proven effective, intravenous fresh frozen plasma is a simple and widely available therapeutic option to manage thrombocytopenia.


OBJECTIVE
To test the efficacy of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) on thrombocytopenia in patients with dengue fever.


METHODS
109 serologically confirmed dengue patients with platelet counts <40 000/mm3 were randomised into two groups. Group A (treatment) comprised 53 patients and group B (control) 56 patients. Group A received an intravenous infusion of 3 units (600 ml) of FFP over 90 minutes. Group B received an intravenous infusion of an equal volume of isotonic saline over the same period. The primary outcome measure was the difference between pre- and post-interventional platelet counts at 12, 24 and 48 hours.


RESULTS
Following Intervention, the mean platelet count was significantly higher in Group Athan in Group B at 12 hours (p=0.04; t-test). The mean platelet counts continued to be higher in Group A than in Group B at 24 and 48 hours post-intervention, but the differences were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
In dengue patients with thrombocytopenia, infusion of 600 ml FFP may contribute to a significant increase in platelet count in the first 12 hours, but not thereafter.
Sellahewa
K H
KH
National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka. kolithah@gmail.com
Samaraweera
N
N
Thusita
K P G D
KP
Fernando
J L I N
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003715:Dengue / Q000150:complications*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*