title: Automated hematology: the value of the red blood cell distribution width (RDW).
abstract: The technologic advance that enables measurement of the volume of each red blood cell is available through third-generation hematology analysis. The information generated, expressed as the red blood cell distribution width (RDW), can be diagnostically useful. With the RDW, as with all laboratory data, there can be overlap between distributors of both healthy and anemic persons. Awareness of these limitations can assist the primary care physician in the use of these data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA 19131-1696.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D004911:Erythrocyte Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans