Virtual Medical Centre

G6PD deficiency (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency)

• What is G6PD deficiency?
• Who gets G6PD deficiency?
• Predisposing Factors
• Progression
• Probable Outcomes
• How is G6PD deficiency Diagnosed?
• How is G6PD deficiency treated?
• G6PD deficiency References

What is G6PD deficiency?

G-6-PD deficiency is a hereditary, sex-linked enzyme defect that results in the breakdown of red blood cells when the person is exposed to the stress of infection or certain drugs.

Who gets G6PD deficiency?

G-6-PD deficiency affects 400 million people worldwide. The highest prevalence rates (with gene frequencies from 5-25%) are found in tropical Africa, the Middle East, tropical and subtropical Asia, some areas of the Mediterranean, and Papua New Guinea.

Predisposing Factors

Risk factors are being of African American descent, being male, or having a family history of G6PD deficiency. Another type of this disorder can occur in whites of Mediterranean descent. This form is also associated with acute episodes of hemolysis. Episodes are longer and more severe than in the other types of the disorder.

Progression

Spontaneous recovery from this condition is the usual outcome.