Aim:Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection (VPSI) is a main mortality and morbidity cause in hydrocephalus. Platelet indices, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) have been evaluated for some infectious diseases. In this study we aimed to investigate whether MPV and PDW values are decisive for the diagnosis of VPSI in children.Material and Methods:Charts of VPSI from 2012 to 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty five ventriculoperitoneal shunt infected patients and 25 healthy children as the control group have been included in the study. Platelet indices were recorded. Results:A total of 25 VPSI and 25 healthy children were enrolled in the study. Significant differences in the MPV and PDW values between the two groups were detected (p<0.001). ROC curve analysis suggested a cut off point for MPV being below 9.2 fl (smaller values indicate patients) for diagnosis of VPSI, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 80%, 92%, 91% and 82%, respectively. For PDW, cut-off point was 12.25 (larger values indicate patients) for diagnosis of VPSI, with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 68%, 80%, 77% and 71%, respectively.Conclusion:Our results suggest that MPV and PDW can be used for the diagnosis of VPSI in children with the accuracy of at least 75%. Moreover, MPV’s specificity is higher than the other platelet parameters and leucocyte count.