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.