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Red blood cell distribution width in pregnancy: a systematic review
Panagiotis Paliogiannis1, Angelo Zinellu1, Arduino A Mangoni2
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Biochemia Medica
|November 16, 2018
Summary
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) changes during pregnancy and is linked to complications like anemia and preeclampsia. Understanding RDW values aids in diagnosing and predicting pregnancy issues.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Hematology
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Anisocytosis, indicated by Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW), correlates with disease severity and prognosis.
- RDW quantifies variations in red blood cell volume, offering insights into various physiological and pathological states.
- Pregnancy involves physiological changes that can affect RDW values.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on physiological Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) values in pregnancy.
- To explore the diagnostic and prognostic significance of RDW in complicated pregnancies.
- To provide a basis for establishing reference RDW values in pregnancy for clinical application.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of major scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov) for studies published in the last decade.
- Systematic screening of abstracts and full-text articles by independent reviewers to ensure relevance and accuracy.
- Inclusion of 28 relevant studies reporting on RDW in physiological and complicated pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Physiological pregnancy is associated with specific changes in Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) values.
- Elevated RDW levels show associations with pregnancy complications such as anemia, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and recurrent miscarriage.
- RDW demonstrates potential as a biomarker for assessing pregnancy health and risks.
Conclusions:
- Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) exhibits dynamic changes during pregnancy.
- RDW serves as a potential indicator for diagnosing and predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Further research into RDW values can refine its clinical utility in obstetric care.
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