Values of mean platelet volume in patients with chronic tonsillitis and adenoid hypertrophy

Objectives: Chronic tonsillitis (CT)-adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is one of the most common reasons of nocturnal hypoxia in children. However, there is limited information about the relationship between childhood OSA and atherosclerosis or cardiac diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and CT-AH which is the most frequent cause leading OSA in children.

Methodology: The medical records of 200 children, who underwent adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy with a diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy and/or chronic tonsillitis between October, 2010 and June, 2012, and 240 healthy controls were evaluated. Subjects were classified into 3 groups. Group I consisted of patients who underwent adenoidectomy, whereas Group II consisted of patients who had adenotonsillectomy. Healthy children were employed as control group. White blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT), hemoglobin (Hb) levels and mean platelet volume (MPV) values were recorded individually.

Results: MPV values were 6.6±0.8, 6.6±0.7 and 7.3±0.9 in Group I, Group II and control group, respectively. It was found that MPV values in groups I and II were significantly lower than control group. There was no significant difference between group I and II.

Conclusion: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) caused by CT-AH is associated with low MPV values in childhood.
KEY WORDS: Chronic tonsillitis, Obstructive sleep apnea, Mean platelet volume.