Clinical and Etiological Profile of Acute Febrile Illnesses with Thrombocytopenia - A One Year Hospital Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives ABSTRACT Infection is a commonest cause of Thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia associated with fever helps to narrow the differential diagnosis and management of fever. It also helps to know the various complications of thrombocytopenia and its management. Methods 200 patients aged more than 12 years with Fever and Thrombocytopenia, between January 2008 to December 2008 were included in this study. Results Infection was the commonest cause of thrombocytopenia and Dengue was the commonest of the infections. Bleeding manifestations were seen in 45% of patients. 85% of patients with Bleeding tendencies had Petechiae/Purpura as the commonest bleeding manifestation, followed by spontaneous bleeding in 51%. Good recovery was noted in 97%, while 3% had mortality. Septicemia accounted for 50% of deaths followed by Dengue with 33% and Leptospirosis with 17%. Interpretation and Conclusion Infections, particularly dengue was the commonest cause of fever with thrombocytopenia. In majority of patients thrombocytopenia was transient and asymptomatic, but in significant number of cases there were bleeding manifestations. Spontaneous bleeding was noted in platelet counts of less than 20,000 in majority of patients. Petechiae/Purpura were seen more commonly in VIII platelet count in range of less than or equal to 50,000. On treating the specific cause drastic improvement in platelet count was noted during discharge and further follow-up.