Diagnostic and prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width in sepsis: a narrative review

Previous studies showed that red blood cell distribution width (RDW) can be used as a prognostic and diagnostic index in various non-hematological diseases, including severe infections and sepsis. Here, we provide a narrative review to summarize the findings of available studies investigating the relationship between RDW and sepsis. Current evidence supports that increased RDW on admission, both in adults and neonates, is associated with unfavorable outcomes on the short- and long-term. In patients with suspected sepsis, RDW has modest value for predicting positive blood culture. Accordingly, its diagnostic value for sepsis is limited. Dynamic changes of RDW are also associated with outcome of sepsis. Taken together, these results suggest that RDW could be used as a prognostic index in septic patients.