use of red cell distribution width in the detection of early iron deficiency anemia

ABSTRACT

We performed the complete blood cell count, including RDW in 120 subjects and in 30 pregnant females with no iron supplements to find whether an increased RDW allows early detection of otherwise inapparent iron deficiency anemia. Serum ferritin was used as an indicator of body iron stores. In the 120 subjects selected, an increased RDW was found in 55 subjects. An increased RDW was 67.3% specific [37/55] and 100% sensitive [65/65] for decreased iron stores. In the 30 pregnant females, RDW increased from the second trimester which is much earlier than other parameters. This study has confirmed the usefulness of the RDW as a screening test for iron deficiency. However, the low specificity of the test suggests the need for further investigations when there is an unexplained elevation of RDW