The Diagnostic Significance of MCV, MCH, and RDW in Anemia of Kawasaki Disease

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We investigated what kind of factors are the most stable among hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), MCV, MCH and RDW as a marker of discriminating anemia due to an acute inflammation from anemia of different origins. METHODS: We evaluated 141 patients with Kawasaki disease who had been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Inha hospital from 1990 to 1995. We analyzed their blood four times each week. RESULTS: Of the patients, 132 cases (93.6%) were less than 5 years of age and the median age was 2 years 3 months. After one week of hospitalization, Hb dropped a mean of 0.6g/dl compared to when first admitted. After three weeks of hospitalization, Hb increased a mean of 1.1g/dl compared to when first admitted. Coefficient of variation (CV) mean was Hct>Hb>RDW>MCH>MCV. The CV mean of Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH and RDW showed a significant difference (P=0.0001). In groups, there was an insignificant difference between Hb and Hct, there was a significant difference among the Hb-Hct group and MCV, MCH and RDW. Except for MCV, every RBC indices were changed in accordance with the measured time. But only MCV was relatively unchanged as time went by (P<0.5). CONCLUSION: Our finding indicate that MCV, MCH and RDW can be used as a useful marker for discriminating temporary anemia of acute inflammation from the other anemia of different origins, because MCV, MCH and RDW showed little change in measured values in comparison with the change of Hb and Hct in Kawasaki disease. The MCV is an useful factor among factors.