The value of the red cell distribution width index versus other parameters in the differentiation between iron deficiency anemia and beta thalassemia trait among children in Mosul, Iraq

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children may be confounded with the beta-thalassemia trait (BTT). This study aimed to reevaluate the role of the red blood cell distribution width index (RDWI) in distinguishing BTT from IDA. Research design and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2018 to February 2019 in two pediatric teaching hospitals in Mosul, Iraq. Two sets of patients with hypochromic microcytic anemia in the age range 6 months-12 years were included. The receiver-operating characteristics curve was used to identify the test best distinguishing BTT from IDA. Results In the first patient set, 54 (51.92%) had IDA and 50 (48.07%) had BTT. The area under the curve (AUC) for the RDWI was larger than for other parameters at 0.963, suggesting a discriminant tool to detect cases of BTT (p-value < 0.0001) . In the second patient set, 25 (42.85%) IDA cases and 20 (57.14%) BTT cases were analyzed, and the RDWI still had the highest AUC when compared with other parameters (p-value < 0.0001). An RDWI cutoff value suggested to differentiate BTT from IDA was 200.18 and 200.35 respectively for both groups. Conclusions RDWI may be a useful screening parameter in differentiating BTT from IDA.