To explore the clinical significance of mean platelet components (MPC)  in children with sepsis.MethodsIntravenous blood of 93 children with sepsis within 24 hours of admission were collected, platelet count (PC) and MPC were analysed  by  ADVIA 2120 hematocyte system, and results were compared with healthy  control; severe and mild group of children with sepsis was compared.ResultsThe levels of PC and MPC of all children with sepsis were (101.00±49.00)×109/ L and (225.00±20.00) g/L respectively, which  were significantly lower than (212.00±72.00)×109/ L and (267.00±22.00) g/L in healthy group respectively (both P<0.05). The levels of PC and MPC of 40 children with severe sepsis  were (86.00±35.00)×109/ L and (213.00±13.00) g/L respectively, which  were significantly lower than (141.00±40.00)×109/L and  (235.00±18.00) g/L in mild sepsis group respectively (both P<0.05). When the critical value of PC and MPC were 100.00×109/L  and 267.00 g/L, among 53 children with mild sepsis, PC values of 20 children and MPC values of 51 children were all decreased, the sensitivity was 37.74% and 96.23% respectively. ConclusionThe routine detection of PC and MPC,  especially MPC at  the early stage, can be considered as a quick and reliable guide in the assessment of the extent of  sepsis.