Diagnostic Accuracy of Red Cell Distribution Width in Mild Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Women of Childbearing Age

Abstract

Background: To determine the accuracy of red celldistribution width-coefficient of variation (RDWCV)in detection of mild iron deficiency anaemia inwomen of child bearing age by comparing it withserum ferritin level.Methods: In this cross-sectional study one hundredeighty women of child bearing age between 15-45years with mild anaemia(Haemoglobin 9-11 g/dl)were selected. Complete blood count (includingRDW-CV) was performed using automatedhaematology analyzer Sysmex XT 2000i. RDWCVvalueof more than 17% was taken as cutoff.Those patients having RDW-CV>17% and a lowserum ferritin < 15 ng/ml were taken as truepositives while those with RDW-CV <17% and ahigh serum ferritin > 15 ng/ ml were taken as truenegatives. False positives were those having a serumferritin of > 15 ng/ml and RDW-CV of >17% whilefalse negative were those having a serum ferritin of< 15 ng/ml and RDW of < 17%.Results: Mean age of patients was 30± 4 years.Seventy (39%) patients were true positive while 65(36%) patients were true negative. Sixty four patients(35.5%) were pregnant females and 116(64%) werenon-pregnant females. Among the pregnant patients,21 patients (32.8%) were true positive. Among nonpregnantfemales 69 patients (59.5%) were truepositive.Conclusion: RDW-CV has diagnostic significanceas an early indicator of iron deficiency