The Association between Red Cell Distribution Width and Mortality in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is one of the standard parameters with blood cell counts. Studies have revealed that RDW could be used as a predictor of mortality in different contexts. However, data about the relation of RDW with hematologic malignancies is limited. In this research, we evaluated the relation of RDW with mortality in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Materials and methods: In the oncology department of a tertiary care children hospital, between years of 2010 to 2013, we had 83 registered cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) whose data was collected and analyzed retrospectively. RDW, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin (Hgb) and platelet (Plt) measurements were recorded and their relation with mortality, leukemia relapses and treatment cessation was examined. Results: A total 83 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 5.5 years and 50 (60.2%) were male. The mean baseline RDW level was 16.0%, and it ranged from 11.2% to 23.2%. During the study period, 12(14.5%) cases had died. The rate of mortality did not significantly correlate with RDW level. Conclusions: Although a relationship between elevated RDW and mortality has been reported in several contexts, we did not find any significant correlation between the RDW level and the rate of mortality and relapse in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).