Mean Platelet Volume as a Marker of Disease Severity in Hospitalized Children With Acute Bronchiolitis.

Bronchiolitis is one of the most common lower respiratory tract infections affecting children less than two years of age and is a leading cause of hospitalization. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a readily available component of the complete blood count, has been investigated as an inflammatory biomarker in various conditions. Our present study evaluated the association between MPV values and the severity of acute bronchiolitis in hospitalized children. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between MPV, severity of respiratory distress, and need for oxygen support in hospitalized children under two years of age with acute bronchiolitis. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of hospitalized children less than two years of age identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes for bronchiolitis. One hundred and fourteen charts met inclusion criteria. Data collected included age, length of hospital stay, degree of respiratory distress, respiratory support requirements, MPV values on admission, and respiratory syncytial virus status. Respiratory distress severity was assessed using a Clinical Respiratory Distress Score, which ranges from 1 to 12 and is categorized as mild (1-4), moderate (5-8), or severe (9-12). Chi-square tests were used to evaluate associations between MPV values, respiratory distress score, and need for oxygen support. Results: Low MPV was significantly associated with higher respiratory distress scores (moderate/severe) (χ²=4.93, p=0.026). Low MPV was also significantly associated with increased need for oxygen support (χ²=4.15, p=0.042). Conclusions: Low MPV at admission is associated with greater respiratory distress severity and increased oxygen support requirements in children hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis. MPV may have potential as an accessible marker of disease severity in children hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis.