The value of red cell distribution width in the diagnosis of anaemia in children.

The red cell distribution width index (RDW) was determined in 103 normal children, 69 iron-deficient (ID) patients, 73 with the thalassaemia trait, and 71 with other haemoglobinopathies. Elevated RDW values were found in anaemic patients, the highest values in ID anaemia, sickle thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia, and beta-thalassaemia trait in decreasing order. The normal RDW in children was 13.