Vol. 2, Issue 9, Part A (2016)

Methods: 100 patients aged >14 years with fever and thrombocytopenia between January 2015 - June 2016 were included for this study.

Results: Infection was the commonest cause of thrombocytopenia and dengue fever was the commonest infections. Bleeding manifestations were seen in 43% of patients. Among them 63% patients had petichae/ purpura as the commonest bleeding manifestation followed by spontaneous bleeding in 37%. Good recovery was noted in 95% while mortality was 5% .Septicemia accounted for 40% of deaths and dengue 40% followed by malaria 20%.

Interpretation and Conclusion: Infections, particularly dengue fever was the commonest cause of fever with thrombocytopenia. In majority of patients, thrombocytopenia was transient and asymptomatic but in significant number of cases there were bleeding manifestations. Spontaneous bleeding was noted in platelet count of <20,000 in majority of patients, petichae/purpura was seen in platelet count in range of 20,000-40,000. On treating the specific cause drastic improvement in platelet count was noted during discharge and further follow - up.