Investigation of platelet aggregation by impedance and optic methods in children with iron deficiency anaemia.

ABSTRACT

Although it is known that platelet count is altered in iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), the qualitative extent of this interference is not well documented. In the present study we investigated platelet aggregation (PA) by impedance and optic methods in IDA. Forty-seven patients (plasma group 16 boys, 9 girls and whole blood group 11 boys, 11 girls) with IDA and thirty-one healthy children (plasma group 6 boys, 10 girls and whole blood group 6 boys, 9 girls) were enrolled into the study. Template bleeding times were measured by the Ivy method in all children. In the control group whole blood count, serum iron levels, bleeding time and PA were determined. After basal PA was determined in the patients and controls, ferrous sulphate was orally administered to the patients at a dose of 6 mg/kg/24 h for three months. Then, PA tests were performed again in the IDA (test group) patients. Ristocetin-induced PA was suppressed in both plasma and whole blood groups. Inhibition by both collagen (p < 0.05) and ristocetin (p < 0.001)-induced PA was determined by the optic method. Similarly in PA measured by the impedance method a suppression to adenosine diphosphate (p < 0.001) and to ristocetin (p < 0.01) was found. However, no significant alteration was observed in the bleeding time. All defective responses were reversed by the iron supplementation therapy. In addition, a significant correlation was found between some parameters of PA and several haematological values. In conclusion, although defective PA responses cannot be clinically demonstrated in patients with IDA, this suppression of PA may be detected by laboratory examination. Therefore, it is advised that care should be taken when using anti-aggregant agents in IDA.