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Published on: December 31, 2015
Can red cell distribution width in very low birth weight infants predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
Seong Hee Oh1, Hyun-Jeong Do1, Ji Sook Park2,3
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, Gangneung, South Korea.
Insights
Red cell distribution width (RDW) in newborns did not predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Early RDW levels and changes in preterm infants showed no correlation with BPD development, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Hematology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
Background:
- Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a known prognostic marker in adults.
- Its utility in neonates, particularly for predicting bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Red cell distribution width (RDW) values in preterm infants.
- To determine if early RDW measurements can predict the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 108 preterm infants (<30 weeks gestation, <1500g birth weight).
- RDW values were analyzed at birth, 7 days (D7), and 28 days (D28).
- Changes in RDW during the first month were assessed for correlation with BPD.
Main Results:
- Mean RDW at birth was 16.2±0.1%, increasing to 17.5±0.2% at D7 and 17.6±0.2% at D28.
- Infants born at <28 weeks had lower RDW at birth (15.7±0.3%) compared to those born at ≥28 weeks (16.4±0.2%).
- RDW at birth, D7, D28, and early changes did not correlate with BPD development or severity.
Conclusions:
- Early Red cell distribution width (RDW) measurements in preterm infants do not appear to predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
- The predictive value of RDW for BPD in this population remains uncertain.
- Further investigation is warranted to clarify the role of RDW in neonatal respiratory outcomes.
Abstract:
Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a useful marker for assessing the severity and prognosis of various diseases in adults. However, whether it is applicable to children, especially in newborns, has not been determined.This study aimed to investigate the RDW values of preterm infants and evaluate whether RDW values in the early days of life can predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) development.One hundred and eight infants born at <30 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of <1500 g participated in this retrospective study. RDW values measured at birth, 7 days (D7), and 28 days (D28) after birth were reviewed. The changes in RDW values in the first month of life were analyzed, and we evaluated the relationship between RDW and BPD.The mean RDW values at birth, D7, D28 and the change from birth to D7 were 16.2 ± 0.1%, 17.5 ± 0.2%, 17.6 ± 0.2% and 1.3 ± 1.8%, respectively. RDW at birth was lower in the infants born at <28 weeks' gestational age than in those born at ≥28 weeks' gestational age (15.7 ± 0.3 vs 16.4 ± 0.2, P = .024). RDW values of both groups increased during the first week after birth and did not differ significantly at D7. The levels remained similar at 1 month of age. RDW at birth, D7, and D28 and the changes in RDW from birth to D7 were not correlated with the development of BPD independent of its severity.The usefulness of RDW as a predictor of BPD development remains questionable and requires further study.
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