Poor Glycemic Control linked to reduced plateletcrit and platelet mass levels among children: Study on Platelet Levels in Pediatric Diabetes

The study, published in The Medical Bulletin of Sisli Etfal Hospital, showed significantly higher platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in children with T1DM versus healthy controls. Among children with poor glycemic control, platelet (PLT) levels were notably lower than in the other groups, resulting in reduced plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet mass (PM) levels, the researchers reported.

Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis and wound healing, making their dysfunction a concern in conditions like diabetes, where vascular complications are prevalent. Understanding how glycemic control affects platelet indices can guide healthcare providers in tailoring treatment strategies to minimize risks associated with cardiovascular disease and other diabetic complications.

Research on platelet indices in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been conducted, but the studies are limited and vary in terms of number and methodology. To fill this knowledge gap, Kamile Yucel, Department of Medical Biochemistry, KTO Karatay University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkiye, and colleagues aimed to compare children diagnosed with T1DM with healthy controls in terms of some laboratory parameters and platelet indices.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a retrospective study. They used glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values to categorize patients as <7% (good) and ≥7% (poor). The platelet mass value was calculated from the hemogram data (PM=PLTxMPV).

The study revealed the following findings:

• The study included eighty-seven patients diagnosed with T1DM and 120 healthy participants.
• Fasting glucose, urea, creatinine, hemoglobin (HGB), red blood cell (RBC), mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were significantly higher in the patient group than in the healthy control group.
• Platelet, plateletcrit, and PM were significantly lower in the poor glycemic control group than in the good glycemic control and healthy groups.
• The PDW in the healthy control group was statistically significantly lower than in the good and poor glycemic control groups. In the group with poor glycemic control, there was a positive and significant correlation between the MPV and the level of HbA1c (r=0.401).

"Additional research is necessary to investigate whether the reduction in platelet (PLT) levels is attributed to increased platelet hyperactivity and accelerated turnover. Furthermore, there is a need to elucidate how platelet indices influence the course and complications of diabetes," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Yucel K, Disci SI, Yucel M. Effect of Glycemic Control on Platelet Indices in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.Med Bull Sisli Etfal Hosp 2024;58(2):139–145