Reye-like syndrome (RLS) is considered to be a systemic disorder in which the cytokine storm plays a major role. Mean platelet volume (MPV), which is commonly used as a measure of platelet size, indicates the rate of platelet production and platelet activation. We aimed to study MPV in children with RLS. The study population consisted of 30 children with RLS and 30 healthy control subjects. White blood cell (WBC) count, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) values were significantly higher and MPV values were significantly lower in patients with RLS at an early stage of illness when compared to controls. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, AST and ALT values were significantly decreased in patients with RLS after the treatment when compared to baseline whereas MPV values were increased. MPV values were negatively correlated with ESR and WBC. In conclusion, at an early stage of RLS MPV values were lower when compared to controls.
Keywords: Mean platelet volume; Reye-like syndrome; platelets.