Ganga Ram hospital offers IPF test for dengue patients at Rs 450

According to Dr Dhiren Gupta , Senior Consultant , Paediatric Intensive Care , Sir Ganga Ram Hospital , “As per the present WHO guidelines platelet transfusion is not indicated in a stable dengue patients even if platelet count is less than 10000 . With the availability of new parameter like IPF , very likely that we can predict rise in platelets in a given dengue patients . This parameter has helped us in avoiding un-necessary platelet transfusion in few paediatric dengue patients . This is an upcoming marker which can be further developed .”

In one of the studies done on IPF , it was observed that 93.75 % of patients show platelet recovery within 24-48 hours if the IPF was greater than 10 % ( Int J Lab Hematol. 2014 Oct;36(5);499-504 Evaluation of the immature platelet fraction as an indicator of platelet recovery in dengue patients)

Two Case Studies:

1. 12 year old female – 6 th day of illness with dropping platelets to 11000 . Child was hemodynamically stable with increasing IPF from 6-12 % . Over next 8 hours , platelet started rising rapidly . In next 12 hours it rose to 22000 . The platelets were kept ready but not transfused . Child was saved and discharged .


2. 6 year old – 6^th day of illness with platelet dropping to 15000 and evidence of bleeding and hypotension . IPF was 4.5 % . Platelet Concentration was immediately transfused . Next 12 hours child became stable and IPF rose to 11 % . Child was saved and discharged .

These are two case studies highlighting the importance of IPF . There are other patients on whom this technique has been tried this dengue season with positive results

Dr Jyoti Kotwal added , “Dengue season calls for platelet transfusion , sometimes inappropriate also . Careful clinical watchand monitoring platelet count may help to group the patients under risk category. Immature Platelet Fraction is a parameter that can be monitored to predict platelet recovery , so that platelet transfusion can be avoided , cost be saved and also the hazards associated with transfusion can also be avoided .It holds a great promise of becoming a reliable future guide for decisions concerning platelet transfusions”