Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Fever with Thrombocytopenia: A Hospital-Based Observational Study
K Geeta Priyadarsini, MKM Kathyayani, A. Devi Sundaraneedi, K Sunil Naik, Bala Krishna Koyya
Author(s)Abstract
Background: Fever with thrombocytopenia is a frequent clinical presentation in tropical hospitals and requires early etiological diagnosis because it can progress to bleeding, organ dysfunction, and shock. The objective of this study evaluated the clinical profile, laboratory pattern, etiological spectrum, complications, and recovery profile of patients presenting with fever and thrombocytopenia. Material and Methods: This hospital-based observational study included 100 patients aged more than 14 years who were admitted with fever and platelet count below 150,000/cumm at Government General Hospital, Srikakulam, from January 2026 to March 2026. Patients without fever, without thrombocytopenia, younger than 14 years, or non-cooperative were excluded. All patients underwent clinical assessment and relevant hematological, biochemical, serological, parasitological, and culture-based investigations. Results: Most patients were aged 21-30 years, and males constituted 60.0% of the cohort. Headache, myalgia, and vomiting were the common symptoms after fever. Fever duration was 1-5 days in 71.0% of patients. Petechiae and pallor were the leading signs. Bleeding manifestations were present in 39.0% of patients. Platelet count was most often 20,001-40,000/cumm, while 20.0% had counts below 20,000/cumm. Dengue was the leading etiology, followed by malaria, undiagnosed febrile illness, enteric fever, and septicemia. Liver function abnormalities were frequent in dengue, malaria, septicemia, and leptospirosis. Clinical recovery was documented in most patients following cause-directed treatment and supportive care. Conclusion: Dengue was the dominant cause of fever with thrombocytopenia in this cohort. Clinical assessment, serial platelet monitoring, and early cause-directed investigations remain central to safe management.
Keywords: Fever; Thrombocytopenia; Dengue; Malaria; Platelet count; Bleeding manifestations; Tropical infection.