Twitter
Advertisement

Sale to platelet bags to be regulated after BMC report

Expect strict regulations on the sale of platelet bags after a BMC committee that has been analysing suspected dengue deaths in the city revealed that patients were being given unnecessary platelet transfusions.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

When do you need platelets?
The normal platelet count may range from 1.5 to 4 lakh. WHO guidelines stress that platelet transfusion is unwarranted unless the count drops below 20,000. Transfusions are required for a platelet count of 50,000 to 1 lakh only in the case of bleeding. Guidelines on platelet usage by next year According to the BMC's health department doctors, almost all dengue patients had been administered platelets even when it wasn't required. Health officials said that by next year, guidelines will be issued to blood banks of all hospitals on the judicious usage of platelets, where they will be accountable for every platelet bag issued.

No one dying of low platelet count: Doc
Dr Khusrav Bhajan, intensivist at PD Hinduja Hospital said, "No one is dying because of low platelet count and bleeding. It is the low white blood cells (WBC) count that is leading to secondary infection. Early management and admission in the right time is crucial. Right usage of antibiotics is very important."

WHO guidelines for dengue say that "most deaths from dengue occur in patients with profound shock, particularly if the situation is complicated by fluid overload." Administration of IV fluids to a person with non-severe dengue and too much of fluids to one with severe dengue are poor practices, it says.

"Platelets have a very limited role to play in dengue treatment. One should not go for platelet transfusion until the count has gone below 10,000 or there is bleeding," said Dr Om Srivastava, an infectious disease expert from Jaslok Hospital who was also part of the BMC's committee.

Repercussions of unnecessary transfusion
Dr Srivastava further said that dengue is an immune-mediated disease. "When you go for platelet transfusion in a dengue patient who is not showing signs of bleeding, the immune system is dysfunctional and platelet anti-bodies are formed, which then go into circulation in the body for a while. Administrating platelets in a non-bleeding dengue patient doesn't help," said Dr Srivastava.

Dr Anil Suchak, trustee of Indian Medical Association (Mumbai West) said: "Prophylactic platelet transfusions for a severely lowered platelet count in otherwise haemodynamically stable patients have not been shown to be effective and necessary. Its the fear that has led to non-judicious use of platelet."
 

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement