The role of mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, platelet count and plateletcrit in evaluation of type of thrombocytopenia

Platelets are anucleate cytoplasmic fragments derived from bone-marrow megakaryocytes that form the first line of defence against microvascular and macrovascular bleeding by adhering to injured endothelium and aggregating into a haemostatic plug.[1] Thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count below 150x109/L, is one of the commonest haematological abnormalities encountered in clinical practice and predisposes patients to bleeding complications ranging from mild mucocutaneous haemorrhage to life-threatening internal bleeding.