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Red cell distribution width (RDW) changes in pregnancy

H A Shehata1, M M Ali, J C Evans-Jones

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mayday University Hospital, Surrey, United Kingdom. hshehata@sghms.ac.uk

International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics: the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
|August 29, 1998
PubMed
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Red cell distribution width (RDW) significantly increases in the final weeks of pregnancy, suggesting heightened bone marrow activity. This finding may indicate RDW as a potential marker for impending labor.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Hematology
  • Reproductive Medicine

Background:

  • Establishing normative data for hematological parameters during pregnancy is crucial for maternal health monitoring.
  • Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the variation in red blood cell size, reflecting erythropoietic activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a normogram for red cell distribution width (RDW) in healthy pregnant women.
  • To longitudinally track changes in RDW throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study involving 121 healthy pregnant women.
  • RDW measurements were taken at 16 weeks gestation, 34 weeks gestation, during labor, and at 3 and 7 days postpartum.
  • Statistical analysis included two-way analysis of variance to assess changes in RDW.

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Main Results:

  • RDW showed a significant increase (P < 0.0001) between 34 weeks gestation and the onset of labor.
  • No significant RDW changes were observed between 16 and 34 weeks gestation.
  • RDW levels remained stable during the first 7 days postpartum.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first longitudinal data on RDW changes within and between pregnant women.
  • The observed RDW increase in late pregnancy suggests increased bone marrow activity, possibly in preparation for labor.
  • RDW may serve as a valuable indicator of impending parturition.