The relationship between outcomes and red blood cell distribution width in critically ill children

Abstract

Pediatric critical illness can profoundly disrupt child health and development and negatively affect family function and well-being. Although pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) mortality is declining, determination of contributing factors for outcomes is important to improve prognosis. Hence in this study the relationship between outcomes and red blood cell distribution width in critically ill children was determined. Materials and Methods: The CBC and RDW in 67 PICU-admitted children in first 24 hours of hospitalization in the PICU were assessed. Demographic characteristics, cause of hospitalization in PICU, comorbidities, duration of stay in PICU, life status at the time of discharge from PICU were recorded. The risk of mortality (PRISM) was recorded in the first 24 hours of admission to the PICU of all patients. The association between RDW and other variables were assessed. Results: The mean RDW was 17% and totally 12% of patients were died. The mean RDW was 18.4 and 15.9 in dead and alive cases without significant difference (P=0.170). None of the variables except background disease were related to RDW (P > 0.05).