Incidence of G6PD Deficiency in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

Abstract

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the commonest red cell enzymopathy affecting red cell metabolism. Its presentation can vary from drug induced haemolysis to neonatal jaundice with a prevalence ranging from 0-27% in India. The objective of this study was to find out the incidence of G6PD deficiency in babies delivered in our hospital and to assess its contribution in causing neonatal jaundice. 500 babies were screened for G6PD deficiency by Fluorescent spot test method. All the babies were found to have normal enzyme activity. Hence we concluded the burden of G6PD deficiency causing neonatal jaundice is less in our setup.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2016;36(2):141-142.

Neonatal Screening for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency in Eastern India

“…6 Recent reports like a study from South India also, revealed no case of G6PD deficiency when they studied 500 neonates screened for G6PD by Fluorescent spot test method. 12 It is thought that as the gene of G6PD Mediterranean allele passed through the North and then spread throughout the adjoining areas by several contacts between the Mediterranean people and Indians, it is not unusual that the distribution of G6PD deficient allele among Indian population, would be comparatively higher in the North and West zone. 6 Regarding the eastern zone, the deficiency of G6PD has been least studied in this part of the country.…”