Amjad Hussain Zaidi, Ahsan Ali Mirza, Kashif Jameel, Anam Altaf.
Mean platelet volume (MPV) in diagnosis of acute appendicitis among children: A case control study.
Pak J Surg Jan ;33(1):16-9.

Objectives: To explore the diagnostic value of mean platelet volume for acute appendicitis among children. Study design: The study design was a case control. Place and duration: The study duration was 6 months ( June 2012-November 2012) and conducted in Department of Surgery, P.A.E.C General Hospital, Islamabad. Subject & Methods: A sample size of 140 was achieved using WHO formula with 80% power, SD 1.09, anticipated population 7.55 and 5% significance level with cases to control ratio of 1:1. A simple random sampling (lottery method) was used for selecting patients. Both groups were compared for continuous variables using t- test. A correlation test was performed to the relationship of MPV with other variables. Results: The study includes 140 participants. Among the 70 (100%) cases, there were 30 (43%) males and 40 (57%) females. While among controls 70 (100%), there were 33 (47%) males and 37(53%) females. The mean age was 8.17±3.47 years (1-15 years) among cases while controls had mean age 8.77±3.62 years (1-15 years). The specificity for elevated WBC and neutrophil values was 89% and 91% and sensitivity was 84% and 77% among cases. The specificity and sensitivity was 54% and 87% for reduction in MPV values. Conclusion: Elevation in WBC and neutrophil counts detection is significantly associated with acute appendicitis. Paying more attention towards MPV values during blood counting is least expensive and time consuming for diagnosis of acute appendicitis among pediatric patients. The acute appendicitis among children is associated with reduced MPV level.

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