Establishment of reference ranges and values for red cell distribution width amongst infants

Abstract

Objective: To determine the normal reference ranges and values for red cell distribution width (RDW) amongst various age groups of infants. Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional Study Place and Duration: At Haematology Department of Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, from 25th March 2010 to 24th March 2011. Methodology: Two thousand healthy infants visiting the vaccination centers were enrolled and the venous blood samples were taken to assess the values for red cell distribution width (RDW) by haematology analyzer. Percentages for reference ranges along with mean ± SD values for RDW were identified. Results: The reference range for RDW value for less 27 days neonates was 65.1 – 80 fl (i.e66.05  7.32 fl). In more than 27 days to less than 03 months aged infants, reference range was 35.1-50 fl (42.47  5.61 fl).In more than 03 months to less than 06 months aged infants, reference range was 50.1-65fl (40.76  4.59 fl).In more than 06months to less than 09 months aged infants, reference range was 50.1 - 65 fl(41.48  4.29 fl). In more than 09 months to less than 01 year aged infants, reference range was 35.1 -50 fl (43.39  7.54 fl). Conclusion: Normal RDW reference values vary with age of growing infant.