AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal
Vol 11, No 2 (2026): June

The role of erythrocyte indices and red cell distribution width (RDW) as predictors of iron deficiency anemia in children with acyanotic congenital heart disease

Hirli Septiana Sari (Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh)
Herlina Dimiati (Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh)
Anidar .Anidar (Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh)
Nora Sovira (Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh)
Heru Noviat Herdata (Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh)
Eka Destianti Edward (Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh)



Article Info

Publish Date
04 Jun 2026

Abstract

Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects 9.5 per 1,000 live births worldwide, with Asia showing the highest numbers. Erythrocyte indices such as MCV, MCH, MCHC, and RDW help screen for IDA. This study evaluated erythrocyte indices and RDW as predictors of IDA in pediatric patients. Fifty children aged 1 month to 18 years with acyanotic CHD participated in the study at Dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh, from May to August 2025. IDA diagnosis required age-specific low hemoglobin plus two of the following: ferritin <12 ng/mL, serum iron <50 μg/dL, or TIBC >350 μg/dL. The results showed that 26% of the patients had IDA. The IDA group demonstrated low MCV (84.6%; p=0.001), MCH (53.8%; p=0.001), MCHC (38.5%; p=0.003), and high RDW (76.9%; p=0.001). Logistic regression revealed that low MCV (OR 17.109; 95% CI 2.392–122.397) and high RDW (OR 15.256; 95% CI 2.297–101.320) were the strongest predictors. In conclusion, these parameters effectively predicted IDA in children with cyanotic CHD. Low MCV was the most significant predictor, followed by elevated RDW.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

an

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

AcTion: Aceh Nutrition Journal merupakan jurnal gizi dan kesehatan dengan E-ISSN 2548-5741 dan ISSN 2527-3310. Jurnal ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan dalam penyampaian hasil penelitian sebagai media yang dapat digunakan untuk meregistrasi, mendiseminasi, dan mengarsipkan karya peneliti ...