Red cell distribution width and mortality in pediatric sepsis
Abstract: Red cell
distribution width (RDW) is a hematological parameter routinely obtained as
part of the complete blood count. Recently, RDW has emerged as a potential
independent predictor of clinical outcomes in adults with sepsis. However, RDW
as a mortality predictor in pediatric populations has not been well
established.
Objective To determine the relationship between RDW value and mortality
outcomes in pediatric sepsis patients.
Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of 40 consecutive pediatric
patients with sepsis admitted to the PICU from December 2013 to March 2014. All
patients’ RDW were collected within 24 hours of sepsis diagnosis. We determined
the association between RDW and hemoglobin (Hb) using Spearman’s correlation.
The RDW values of 11.5-14.5% were considered to be normal while those >
14.5% were considered to be elevated. We compared mortality and PICU length of
stay (LoS) between the normal and elevated RDW groups using Chi-square and
Mann-Whitney tests.
Results The median age of patients was 34 months (range 2 months to 17
years). There were 28 (70%) male subjects. Subjects’ median RDW was 14.8%
(range 11.2-27.8%) and was not correlated with Hb (r=0.056; P=0.73). Mortality
rates in the normal and elevated RDW groups were 40% and 45%, respectively.
There were no significant associations between RDW group and mortality
(P=0.749) or PICU LoS (P=0.350).
Conclusion Unlike in adults, RDW values are not correlated with mortality
in pediatric sepsis patients.
Keywords: red cell
distribution width; pediatric; sepsis; mortality
Authot: Trina Devina, Munar
Lubis, Erna Mutiara, Gema Nazri Yanni, Rina Amalia C. Saragih, Yunnie
Trisnawati, Aridamuriany Dwiputri Lubis, Putri Amelia
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160209
