Publication: High Red Cell Distribution Width as a Biomarker of Mortality in Critically Ill Paediatric Patients
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS)
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a frequently overlooked parameter in routine haematological reports. It is a simple and inexpensive test which has been found by many adult studies to be a prognostic indicator of mortality in intensive care units. The objective of this study was to see if high RDW could be used as a marker to predict mortality in critically ill children.
Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary hospital of Western Nepal over a period of one year. Study subjects were selected by purposive sampling method. RDW at admission and relative change in RDW (ΔRDW) was compared to see if they had any role in predicting mortality in this group of children. Receiver operating curve analysis was plotted to find an optimal cut-off point to define high and low RDW and various outcome parameters were analysed.
Results: Out of 131 children, there were 12 (9.1%) mortalities. Admission RDW was higher in the death group as compared to the survivor group (17 vs 14.6; p = 0.012). Similar finding was seen with ΔRDW (0.45 vs 0.00; p = 0.006). ΔRDW above the cut-off value of 0.15 was found to be associated with a generally more complicated course during hospitalisation as well as had more risk of mortality.
Conclusions: Both RDW and ΔRDW above the cut-off value were found to be associated with mortality. In addition, high ΔRDW was also found to predict a more complicated course during hospitalisation.
Description
Eva Gauchan
Department of Paediatrics, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal
Sahisnuta Basnet
Department of Paediatrics, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal
Keywords
Critically-ill children, Death, Red cell distribution width