title: Mean platelet volume as a negative marker of inflammation in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a determinant of inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the MPV levels in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis and to evaluate the possible relationship between MPV and severity of gastroenteritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children diagnosed with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis and healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into three disease severity groups based on their Vesikari score (<7 mild, 7-10 moderate and >11 severe). Rotavirus was determined in fresh stool samples using ELISA test. Leukocyte and platelet counts, MPV and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed for all children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 151 patients with rotavirus gastroenteritis (mean age 2.41± 0.14 years) and 80 healthy controls (mean age 2.63±0.22 years, P=0.129) were enrolled. MPV levels of children with rotavirus gastroenteritis were significantly lower than those of healthy peers (7.48±0.04 vs 7.79±0.07 fl, P=0.000). MPV levels were not significantly different among three gastroenteritis groups. Gastroenteritis score was positively correlated with leukocyte (r=0.670, P<0.01) and platelet count (r=0.159, P<0.05) and CRP level (r=0.256, P<0.01) in patients group. MPV was inversely correlated with platelet count. There was no significant correlation between MPV and gastroenteritis score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MPV levels were significantly lower in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis compared to controls. MPV can be used as a negative acute phase reactant in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis.
authors: Department of Pediatric Emergency, Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Hospital, Izmir.
authors: Celik
authors: C
authors: Tanju
authors: Department of Pediatric Emergency, Dr. Sütçü Imam University, Faculty of Medicine, Maras.
authors: Güler
authors: G
authors: Ekrem
authors: Department of Pediatric Emergency, Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Hospital, Izmir.
authors: Atas
authors: A
authors: Berksoy Emel
authors: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Medicine, Hepatology and Nutrition, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Arslan
authors: A
authors: Nur
keywords: Child; Gastroenteritis; Inflammation; Mean Platelet Volume; Rotavirus