ABSTRACT 466

Abstract

Background and aims: The red cell distribution width (RDW) is a biomarker routinely reported in automated complete blood counts. Elevated RDW values are linked to worsened pulmonary function tests in the adult population. Aims: We examined whether RDW on admission was associated with pulmonary dysfunction in the PICU. Methods: We retrospectively examined data from PICU patients admitted between 2009 and 2013. All patients ventilated for over 24 hours were eligible for inclusion. RDW values were divided in quintiles; calculated differences were corrected for anemia, degree of inflammation and PRISM score. Results: 882 patients were screened, 271 were included. Mean age was 4.6 years, mean PRISM score 7.2, mean RDW on admission was 14.5, mean length of ventilation 8.9 days. Patients who had higher baseline RDW values had significantly more ventilation days (p < 0.001) and lower nadir PaO2/FiO2 values (p = 0.023). Hematocrit on admission and CRP values were not linked to RDW. Figures 1 and 2 display the differences between the quintiles.FigureConclusions: Higher RDW values on admission are associated with pulmonary dysfunction, reflected in more ventilation days and lower nadir PaO2/FiO2 values in our cohort of PICU patients. RDW should be evaluated as a possible parameter of organ failure in a PICU.