Table 2 Biivariate analysis .docx

Elevated Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) is associated with increased risk of bacteremia in children
hospitalized in Pediatric Intensive Care Units
 Among 1397 episodes
of hospitalizations in the PICU, 165 (11.8%) developed bacteremia. Univariate
analysis demonstrated that patients with co-morbid conditions tended to have
higher rates of bacteremia. In multivariate regression analysis, variables
associated with bacteremia included non Jewish ethnic origin, use of central venous
catheters and elevated RDW (>15%) during
the 72 hours preceding the bacteremia. Total parenteral nutrition was associated
with decreased rates of bacteremia. Elevated RDW was not associated with
increased risk for non-bacteremic infections.

Elevated RDW
during hospitalization in the PICU was independently associated with a significantly
increased risk for bacteremia. RDW could be used as a simple and inexpensive
tool to assess the risk of bacteremia.