Objective: It has been suggested that mean platelet volume can be used as a marker of inflammation in some inflammatory diseases. This marker has not been investigated adequately in children with allergic disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate mean platelet volume in children with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Materials and Methods: Fifty-four children with chronic spontaneous urticaria (26 boys and 28 girls, mean age 13.70±3.66 years) were included in this retrospective study. The demographic characteristics, complete blood count, serum total IgE, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and skin prick tests results of the patients were recorded. Sixty healthy children were included as the control group. Only complete blood count results of the control group were recorded. Platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, leukocyte count, and hemoglobin values were compared between the two groups. Correlations between mean platelet volume with age, disease duration, atopy, serum total IgE, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were analyzed in the patient group.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in terms of age and sex between the two groups (p=0.09, p=0.60, respectively). Mean platelet volume and platelet count in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p=0.005, p=0.01, respectively). Platelet distribution widths in the patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in leukocyte count and hemoglobin values between the two groups (p>0.05). Mean platelet volumes in the patient group were not correlated with age, disease duration, atopy, serum total IgE, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Conclusion: Mean platelet volumes and platelet counts are increased in children with chronic spontaneous urticaria. However, the mean platelet volume does not appear to be associated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and atopy.