Red cell distribution width and related indices in relation to target-organ damage in children with hypertension

Elevated RDW and RPR levels were associated with LVH in hypertensive children, suggesting their potential role as markers of target organ damage, whereas RAR showed limited utility. Male gender emerged as an independent risk factor for LVH. Obese children demonstrated higher leukocyte counts, indicating a link between obesity and systemic inflammation. However, RDW and RAR did not vary with BMI, and unexpectedly, RPR was higher in children with normal BMI. These findings suggest that hematological parameters may provide insights into both cardiovascular risk and obesity-related changes in pediatric populations.