Evaluation of Erythrocyte Disorders with Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)

The Red Cell Distribution width (RDW) which provides a Quantitative measure of heterogeneity of red cells in the peripheral Blood and the mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) are part of the routine red cell indices reported by automated blood analysis. The study evaluated 250 cases with a wide range of erythrocyte disorders and determined the diagnostic utility of the Red Cell Distribution width (RDW) in relation to the Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV). Six different groups of erythrocyte disorders by Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) values are described: Low Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)/normal red cell distribution width (RDW), Low Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)/High Red Cell distribution width (RDW), normal Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)/Normal Red Cell Distribution width (RDW), Normal Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)/high Red Cell Distribution width (RDW). High Mean Corpuscular Volume/normal Red Cell Distribution width, High Mean Corpuscular Volume/High Red Cell Distribution width.