Immature platelet fraction as predictor of platelet recovery in dengue fever

Abstract

Dengue fever is caused by dengue virus—a mosquito-borne flavivirus and transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, and estimated 390 million cases of dengue infection occur each year globally, with 96 million cases being considered severe. Thrombocytopenia has always been one of the criteria used by WHO guidelines as a potential indicator of clinical severity. Thrombocytopenia is a common cause of concern in dengue to both patients and attending clinicians. To avoid hemorrhagic complications in dengue fever with thrombocytopenia, prophylactic platelet transfusions are administered. Even though it saves lives, platelet transfusions have their own dangers. In order to prevent unnecessary platelet transfusions, a lot of study has been done on Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF) as a predictor of platelet recovery. IPF is a measurement of reticulated platelets that represents the rate of thrombopoiesis. The rapid detection of IPF can lower the danger of platelet transfusion.