The most commonly encountered disorders with microcytic anemia are iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and β-thalassemia
trait (BTT).It is important to distinguish between IDA and BTT to avoid unnecessary iron therapy and the development of
hemosiderosis.Various parameters obtained on automated haematology analyser by calculating discriminant functions
have been helpful to differentiate iron deficiency anemia and β-thalassemia trait. Materials and Methods: This study
was carried out in the pathology department of Gujarat Adani Institute Of Medical Science.We had studied 100 cases of
differentiating Iron deficiency anaemia and β-Thalassaemia trait from patient's case records and laboratory reports
irrespective of age and sex over a period of one year (January 2020 to December 2020).Tests for serum iron and ferritin
were carried out in individuals showing low hemoglobin (Hb). All the selected subjects' samples were subjected to
blood morphology, comparison of mean cell volume (MCV), RBC count, red cell distribution width (RDW), Red cell
distribution width Index (RDWI),Srivastav Index(SI),Green and king Index (GI) and Mentzer's Index(MI). Results: Out
of 100 cases seventy five were diagnosed having iron deficiency anaemia, whereas twenty five were having βthalassemia trait. The RBC count was higher and MCV was much lower in β-thalassemia trait as compared to iron
deficiency anaemia.Both groups were subjected to RDW,RDWI,SI,MI and GI. Conclusion:Among various discriminant
function calculated from different haematological parameters and blood indices,Mentzer index and Srivasta index are
more sensitive and specific for differentiating iron deficiency anaemia and β-thalassemia trait.
Role of Red Cell Distribution Width Index for Differentiation of Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Beta Thalassemia Trait
