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Red blood cell distribution width

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW), as well as various types thereof, is a measure of the range of variation of red blood cell (RBC) volume that is reported as part of a standard complete blood count. Red blood cells have an average volume of 80–100 femtoliters, but individual cell volumes vary even in healthy blood. Certain disorders, however, cause a significantly increased variation in cell size. Higher RDW values indicate greater variation in size. Normal reference range of RDW-CV in human red blood cells is 11.5–15.4%. If anemia is observed, RDW test results are often used together with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) results to determine the possible causes of the anemia. It is mainly used to differentiate an anemia of mixed causes from an anemia of a single cause.

Calculations
The "width" in RDW is sometimes thought to be "misleading", since it in fact is a measure of deviation of the volume of RBCs, and not directly the diameter. RDW-CV "width" refers to the width of the volume curve (distribution width), not the width of the cells. RDW-SD is calculated as the width (in fL) of the RBC size distribution histogram at the 20% height level. This parameter is, therefore, not influenced by the average RBC size (mean corpuscular volume, MCV). Since RDW-CV is mathematically derived from MCV, it is therefore affected by the average RBC size (MCV). ==Pathological implications==
Pathological implications
Normal RDW Anemia in the presence of a normal RDW may suggest thalassemia. A low Mentzer Index, calculated from CBC data [MCV/RBC 12 deficiency anemia usually presents with high RDW and high MCV. • Mixed-deficiency (iron + B12 or folate) anemia usually presents with high RDW and variable MCV. • Recent hemorrhages typically present with high RDW and normal MCV. • A false high RDW reading can occur if EDTA anticoagulated blood is used instead of citrated blood. See Pseudothrombocytopenia. By severity, elevated RDW can be classified as follows: == References ==
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