Relation of mean platelet volume with obstructive adenoid hypertrophy in children

Objective

Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is a common etiology of chronic upper airway obstruction. Upper respiratory tract obstruction may cause chronic alveolar hypoventilation and pulmonary vasoconstriction. In one previous study in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it has been claimed that mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation is increased and that MPV has an important role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated in our study if MPV can be used as an indicator of obstruction due to adenoid hypertrophy.

Methods

Our study includes 61 children that underwent adenoidectomy with a mean age of 7.12 (±2.373). White blood cell, platelet count, MPV, platelet crit and platelet distribution width levels were measured before and 3 months after adenoidectomy. Children’s symptoms for upper airway obstruction (UAO) (presence of snoring, mouth breathing or difficulty in breathing during sleep, obstructive breathing or apnea during sleep) were questioned in the preoperative and postoperative period by a standardized questionnaire.

Results

There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative mean values of MPV, hemoglobin, platelet count (p > 0.05). White blood cell levels were significantly higher in the preoperative period values compared with postoperative period values (p < 0.05). Preoperative UAO scores were significantly higher than the postoperative UAO scores. After stratification of the degree of obstruction (as mild, moderate and severe) there was no significant difference in between groups in terms of MPV values.

Conclusion

There was no significant relation between MPV levels and obstructive adenoid hypertrophy.