Prophylactic Platelet Transfusion in Dengue Fever Not Superior to Supportive Care Alone

Prophylactic platelet transfusion was not superior in preventing bleeding in adult dengue infection and was associated with more adverse events.

Thrombocytopenia is common in dengue fever, prompting prophylactic platelet transfusion in 22% to 50% of adults. To assess the efficacy and safety of platelet transfusion in preventing bleeding in adults with dengue and thrombocytopenia (≤20,000 platelets/µL), investigators conducted an open-label, superiority trial in five hospitals in Singapore and Malaysia. The researchers randomized 369 patients to routine supportive care either with transfusion (4 units of pooled platelets each day when platelet count was ≤20,000) or without transfusion (controls).

In the intention-to-treat analysis, clinical bleeding was not significantly more common in controls: 40 patients (21%) with transfusion versus 48 (26%) in controls. Outcomes were also similar…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Prophylactic Platelet Transfusion in Dengue Fever Not Superior to Supportive Care Alone

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Reviewing Author