How to improve the platelet count in dengue infection?

Question

Hi doctor,

My daughter is eight years old. She has been suffering from fever for five days. Her fever is in the range of 99 to 102 degrees. When we visited a doctor, he asked for a blood test. The blood report shows that she is positive for dengue. The platelet count has dropped already to 52000 from 1,40,000. Please advise us what to do further?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have gone through the data you have posted. Low platelet count occurs in almost 70% of people with dengue fever. Normally, in the case of the disease, the platelet count may go low for four to five days and then start rising. A low platelet count (<100,000) has a risk of bleeding, such as bleeding from the nose or blood in stools, which becomes even more concerning when the count drops below 20,000. Platelet transfusions are only offered when the platelet count is less than 10,000, as there is a risk of anaphylaxis reactions.

We need to observe for any bleeding manifestations. If bleeding starts, then we need to give platelet transfusions irrespective of the platelet count. Kindly upload the complete blood reports, as they will give us clues regarding whether platelets may improve or if it will take time. You can also do IPF (immature platelet fraction) testing, which can provide information about the prognosis. Currently, there is no specific therapy for low platelet count, although some studies have shown that eating papaya fruit and leaf extract may show an increasing trend. As there is no harm, you can give papaya fruit juice or kiwi fruit.

Thank you.