Objective: According to the World Health Organization iron deficiency is the most common nutrition problem. It is a systematic illness affecting all functions of the body. In this study we mentioned sensitivity and specifity of red cell distribution with (RDW) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) parameters in whole blood count hence they are cheap, easy and common methods that could be used in early diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia.

Materials and Methods: A total number of 210 children between the ages of 1 year and 15 year old applied to our policlinic were included in the study. A retrospective of the patients scanned files of serum iron, serum iron binding capacity and serum ferittin levels were measured. Criteria for iron deficiency anemia were transferin saturation and ferritin cut off values according to NHANES (Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey).

Results: Mean MCV values of patient group were statistically significantly lower than the control group (p<0,001). Mean RDW values of the patient group were statistically significantly higher than the control group (p<0,001).

Conclusion: Handling RDW values of erythrocyte indexes for diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia are sensitive and specific. Combining RDW and MCV values has equal sensitivity as using RDW value alone for iron deficiency anemia.