Red cell distribution width (RDW)
Last updated: Thursday, 25, March, 2004
MBS Online Search Page: Click here for details
| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in EDTA tube. 2 mL blood in special paediatric EDTA tube. |
| Method | Part of FBC on many automated instruments. |
| Reference Interval | Varies with instrument - consult laboratory. |
| Application | The RDW may assist in the classification of anaemia, in association with the blood film, and the other red cell indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC). |
| Interpretation | Quantitative assessment of the degree of variation in red cell size/volume (anisocytosis). |
| Reference | Brittenham GM and Koepke JA. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1987; 111: 1146-1148. |