Final answer:
Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the variation in size of red blood cells. It provides information about the uniformity of red blood cell size in a blood sample. RDW values can indicate various conditions such as anemia, vitamin deficiencies, and chronic diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the variation in size of red blood cells. It provides information about the uniformity of red blood cell size in a blood sample. RDW is determined through a blood test that measures the different sizes of red blood cells and calculates the percentage of variation.
RDW values can indicate various conditions such as anemia, vitamin deficiencies, and chronic diseases. Higher RDW values suggest increased variation in red blood cell size, which may indicate different types of anemia, while lower RDW values suggest more uniform red blood cells.