Red blood cell distribution width

Short description: Measure of red blood cell volume variation as part of a standard blood test

Red blood cell distribution width

Medical diagnostics

Human red blood cells

Synonyms| RCDW
Purpose| measure of the range of variation of red blood cell volume that is reported as part of a standard complete blood count.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW), as well as various types thereof (RDW-CV or RCDW and RDW-SD), is a measure of the range of variation of red blood cell (RBC) volume that is reported as part of a standard complete blood count.[1] Red blood cells have an average volume of 80–100 femtoliters, but individual cell volumes vary even in healthy blood.[1] Certain disorders, however, cause a significantly increased variation in cell size. Higher RDW values indicate greater variation in size. Normal reference range of RDW-CV in human red blood cells is 11.5–15.4%.[2][1] If anemia is observed, RDW test results are often used together with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) results to determine the possible causes of the anemia. It is mainly used to differentiate an anemia of mixed causes from an anemia of a single cause.

Deficiencies of Vitamin B12 or folate produce a macrocytic anemia (large cell anemia) in which the RDW is elevated in roughly two-thirds of all cases. However, a varied size distribution of red blood cells is a hallmark of iron deficiency anemia, and as such shows an increased RDW in virtually all cases. In the case of both iron and B12 deficiencies, there will normally be a mix of both large cells and small cells, causing the RDW to be elevated. An elevated RDW (red blood cells of unequal sizes) is known as anisocytosis.[3]

An elevation in the RDW is not characteristic of all anemias. Anemia of chronic disease, hereditary spherocytosis, acute blood loss, aplastic anemia (anemia resulting from an inability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells), and certain hereditary hemoglobinopathies (including some cases of thalassemia minor) may all present with a normal RDW.[4]

## Contents

* 1 Calculations
* 2 Pathological implications
* 2.1 Normal RDW
* 2.2 High RDW
* 3 References
* 4 Further reading

## Calculations

The "width" in RDW is sometimes thought to be "misleading", since it in fact is a measure of deviation of the volume of RBCs, and not directly the diameter. However, "width" refers to the width of the volume curve (distribution width), not the width of the cells. [5][6]

RDW-SD is calculated as the width (in fL) of the RBC size distribution histogram at the 20% height level. This parameter is, therefore, not influenced by the average RBC size (mean corpuscular volume, MCV).[7]

RDW-CV (expressed in %) is calculated with the following formula:

RDW-CV = (1 standard deviation of RBC volume ÷ MCV) × 100%.[8]

Since RDW-CV is mathematically derived from MCV, it is therefore affected by the average RBC size (MCV).[7]

## Pathological implications

### Normal RDW

Anemia in the presence of a normal RDW may suggest thalassemia. A low Mentzer Index, calculated from CBC data [MCV/RBC < 13], may suggest this disorder but a hemoglobin electrophoresis would be diagnostic. Anemia of chronic diseases show normal RDW.[citation needed]

### High RDW

High RDW may be a result of the presence of fragments, groups of agglutination, and/or abnormal shape of red blood cells.[7]

* Iron-deficiency anemia usually presents with high RDW and low MCV.
* Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia usually presents with high RDW and high MCV.
* Mixed-deficiency (iron + B12 or folate) anemia usually presents with high RDW and variable MCV.
* Recent hemorrhages typically present with high RDW and normal MCV.
* A false high RDW reading can occur if EDTA anticoagulated blood is used instead of citrated blood. See Pseudothrombocytopenia.

By severity, elevated RDW can be classified as follows:

RDW in adults[9] | Severity[9] | Most notable causes[9]

|
|

14.5% - 18%  | Mild anisocytosis  | Infection, vigorous exercise or certain drugs. Iron deficiency anemia in the presence of anemia and microcytosis.
18% - 26%  | Moderate anisocytosis  | Severe iron deficiency anemia, megaloblastic anemia.
> 26%  | Severe anisocytosis  | Sideroblastic anemia

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Complete Blood Count Reference Intervals and Patterns of Changes Across Pediatric, Adult, and Geriatric Ages in Korea". Annals of Laboratory Medicine 38 (6): 503–511. November 2018. doi:10.3343/alm.2018.38.6.503. PMID 30027692.
2. ↑ "Red Cell Distribution Width". http://www.fpnotebook.com/hemeonc/lab/RdClDstrbtnWdth.htm.
3. ↑ "The red blood cell distribution width". The Journal of Emergency Medicine 9 (Suppl 1): 71–4. 1991. doi:10.1016/0736-4679(91)90592-4. PMID 1955687.
4. ↑ "Table 1.4". Practical Diagnosis of Hematologic Disorders (5th ed.). Chicago, IL: ASCP Press. 2010. ISBN 978-0-89189-571-8. http://www.ascp.org/pdf/SneekPeekPracDiagofHemDisorders.aspx.
5. ↑ Pomeranian Medical University > Red blood cell indices (indexes)[yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}] Retrieved on 5 April 2009
6. ↑ Cornell University, Department of Population Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences > Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) Last Updated: June 2000. Retrieved on 5 April 2009
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Curry, Choladda Vejabhuti (2017-01-07). "Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Reference Range, Interpretation, Collection and Panels". https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2098635-overview.
8. ↑ Encyclopedia of Surgery: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers Red blood cell indices Retrieved on 5 April 2009
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "High RDW level in the blood". https://www.mrlabtest.com/high-RDW-blood.htm. Last update: 12/01/2021

## Further reading

* RDW Blood Test - Red Blood Cell Distribution Width

* v
* t
* e

Myeloid blood tests (CPT 85002–85999)

Clotting|

* CBC
* Platelet count
* Mean platelet volume
* vWF:
* Ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation

clotting factors:|

* Prothrombin time
* Partial thromboplastin time
* Thrombin time
* Activated clotting time

other/general:|

* coagulation
* Bleeding time
* animal enzyme
* Reptilase time
* Ecarin clotting time
* Dilute Russell's viper venom time
* Thromboelastography
* Thrombodynamics test

fibrinolysis:|

* Euglobulin lysis time
* D-dimer

Red blood cell indices|

| CBC|

* RBC count
* Hematocrit
* Hemoglobin

|

ratios:|

* Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
* Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
* Mean corpuscular volume
* Red blood cell distribution width

Fetal hemoglobin:|

* Apt–Downey test
* Kleihauer–Betke test

Other|

* Reticulocyte index
* Haptoglobin
* Mentzer index

CFU-GM|

* Nitro blue tetrazolium chloride test
* Complete blood count
* White blood cell differential
* Absolute neutrophil count

Other|

* Blood film
* Leucoerythroblastic
* Blood viscosity
* Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

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