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Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in male premature and term neonates

O Mesner1, C Hammerman, D Goldschmidt

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa and The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Science Institute, Israel.

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|October 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity is elevated in preterm infants born between 29 and 32 weeks gestation compared to term neonates. This higher G6PD activity did not hinder the diagnosis of G6PD deficiency in premature infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric genetics

Background:

  • Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity is naturally higher in neonates than adults.
  • Previous research suggests potentially elevated G6PD activity in preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare G6PD activity between preterm and term neonates.
  • To assess if elevated G6PD activity in preterm infants impacts G6PD deficiency diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • G6PD activity was measured in male premature, term, and near-term infants within 48 hours of birth.
  • G6PD deficient neonates were excluded, and remaining premature infants were compared to healthy, G6PD-normal controls.

Main Results:

  • Premature infants (n=94) showed varying G6PD activity; four were clearly deficient.
  • G6PD activity was significantly higher in premature infants (29-32 weeks gestation) than in term neonates (≥37 weeks gestation).
  • This elevated activity did not overlap with the deficient range, ensuring clear diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm infants born between 29 and 32 weeks gestation exhibit higher G6PD activity than term neonates.
  • The increased G6PD activity in this preterm group does not interfere with the accurate diagnosis of G6PD deficiency.
Abstract

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