Red cell distribution width and reticulocyte hemoglobin content as predictors of iron depletion in children…

StudyClinical and experimental pediatrics· Jul 2026

Red cell distribution width and reticulocyte hemoglobin content as predictors of iron depletion in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Hanyudh Prichayudh, Kanhatai Chiengthong, Khwaunrat Whaidee … Pornthep Lertsapcharoen

Pediatric CardiologyStudyQ1IF 3.1

RDW ≥18.8% strongly predicts iron depletion in cyanotic congenital heart disease

Red cell distribution width and reticulocyte hemoglobin content as predictors of iron depletion in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Hanyudh Prichayudh … Pornthep Lertsapcharoen

Clinical and experimental pediatrics · Jul 2026 · Q1 in Pediatrics

Background

Iron-deficiency anemia is challenging to diagnose in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (cyanotic congenital heart disease) because of the high hemoglobin concentration as a compensatory mechanism for cyanosis.

Purpose

This study aimed to identify predictive parameters of iron depletion status and assess the prevalence of iron deficiency in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Methods

Were categorized into iron depletion and iron sufficiency groups defined by a serum ferritin level <30 ng/mL or transferrin saturation <15%.

n = 110 patients

Results

RDW this high raises the odds of iron depletion nearly eightfold

OR 7.79 (95% CI 7.79 to 7.79)

null 1

7.79

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

Among the 110 enrolled patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease, 28 (25.5%) had iron depletion.

While hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels were comparable between groups, the iron-depleted group exhibited significantly lower reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and higher red cell distribution width (RDW).

More results

The diagnostic accuracy improved to 85.4% when these parameters were combined.

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Iron depletion is highly prevalent in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Because conventional parameters, such as Hb and Hct, fail to differentiate iron status owing to compensatory mechanisms, CHr and RDW serveas effective predictive tools.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

This combination offers a practical diagnostic alternative, especially in resource-limited settings, where standard iron studies are unavailable.

Red cell distribution width and reticulocyte hemoglobin content as predictors of iron depletion in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Red cell distribution width and reticulocyte hemoglobin content as predictors of iron depletion in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

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