A Prospective Observational Study to Assess Clinical Profile and Outcome of Febrile Thrombocytopenia In a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Febrile thrombocytopenia is a common clinical presentation in tropical regions, often associated with infections like dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, and septicemia. The presence of thrombocytopenia in febrile illness increases the risk of complications such as bleeding and multiorgan dysfunction. Understanding the clinical profile and outcomes of such cases is essential for timely diagnosis and management. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2020 at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 200 patients aged over 12 years with fever and platelet count <150,000/cu mm were enrolled. After informed consent, clinical evaluations, targeted investigations, and outcome assessments were performed. Etiologies such as dengue, malaria, typhoid, and sepsis were confirmed through standard diagnostic tests. Data were analyzed using SPSS v21.0, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Among the 200 patients, 67.5% were male with a mean age of 31.96 years. Fever (100%), chills (64%), and myalgia (63.5%) were the predominant symptoms. Clinical signs like dehydration (34.5%), altered sensorium (10%), and dyspnea (13.5%) were noted. Common complications included hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and pleural effusion. Dengue was the leading cause followed by malaria and septicemia. Bleeding manifestations occurred in 20.5% of cases, and mortality was 6%, predominantly from septicemia. Conclusion: Infective etiologies dominate febrile thrombocytopenia cases, with dengue being most common. Most cases recover with supportive treatment, but severe forms, especially due to sepsis, require aggressive management. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate intervention improve prognosis.