[Determination of mean platelet volume in pediatric hematology. Practical value (author's transl)].

Some particle counters give a routine determination of mean platelet volume. 272 determinations of this new parameter were performed on 107 hospitalized children in the hematology field. Giant platelets are a frequent sign in peripheral thrombocytopenia, and they are never observed in central thrombocytopenia. The determination of the mean platelet volume is of value in an emergency examination for thrombocytopenia, while awaiting the results of a myelogram, and in monitoring primary thrombocytopenic purpura. In this later condition, the persistance of an increased mean platelet volume in spite of an improvement in the number of platelets should lead to a suspicion of a relapse.