Prevalence of G6PD deficiency in neonates referred to Semnan University

Background and objectives: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD) is an enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway. G6PDdeficiency (an X-linked recessive hereditary disease) is an inheritedcondition affecting approximately 3% of the people globally. Thisdeficiency can cause hemolytic anemia and jaundice in neonates. Thegoal of this study is to detect the prevalence of G6PD deficiency inneonates referred to Semnan province screening labMaterial and Methods: This cross sectional study, from 2007 to2010, was conducted on the basis of country planned program and inline with neonatal screening tests. Blood samples were taken from theheels of 3-5 day neonates. Assessment of G6PD was done by rapidfluorescent spot test. The Prevalence of G6PD deficiency in boys andgirls was compared by chi square (p<0.05)test.Results: Of 9353 newborns referred to semnan province screeningLab., 4820(51.53%) are males and 4533(48.47%) females. Threehundred (3.2%) of them suffer from G6PD deficiency. Of these, 263(5.45%) are males and 37 (0.81%) females. The ratio of male tofemale is 7 to 1.Conclusion: The prevalence of G6PD deficiency is detected 3.2% inSemnan province and its frequency in boys is more than that of girls,which is expected.Key words: Glucose -6-phosphate dehydrogenase, Neonatalscreening, Fauvism