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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
G6PD enzyme activity in normal term Malaysian neonates and adults using a OSMMR2000-D kit with Hb normalization
R Z Azma1, N Hidayati, N R Farisah
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. zahratul@ppukm.ukm.my
Insights
Screening for Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in Malaysia can be improved. The OSMMR-D kit assay provides accurate G6PD activity measurements, aiding in the detection of partial deficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Genetics
Background:
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common cause of neonatal jaundice in Malaysia.
- Current screening methods like the fluorescent spot test (FST) may not detect partial G6PD deficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the OSMMR-D kit assay for quantifying G6PD activity and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration.
- To establish normal reference ranges for G6PD activity in Malaysian neonates and adults.
- To determine cut-off points for partial G6PD deficiency.
Main Methods:
- The OSMMR-D kit assay was used to measure G6PD activity and Hb concentration in EDTA blood samples.
- Samples were obtained from 94 neonates and 295 adults with normal Hb and FST results.
- Statistical analysis was performed to establish normal ranges and cut-off points.
Main Results:
- Normal mean G6PD activity was 12.43 +/- 2.28 U/gHb for neonates and 9.21 +/- 2.6 U/gHb for adults.
- Reference ranges were established as 10.15-14.71 U/gHb for neonates and 6.61-11.81 U/gHb for adults.
- Cut-off points for partial deficiency were determined for both neonates and adults, with no significant differences observed between racial groups or genders.
Conclusions:
- The OSMMR-D kit assay provides a simple, reproducible, and accurate method for quantifying G6PD activity, normalized for Hb concentration.
- This assay can aid in the detection of partial G6PD deficiency, improving upon existing screening methods.
- Established reference ranges and cut-off points are valuable for clinical diagnostics in Malaysia.
Abstract:
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the commonest causes of neonatal jaundice in Malaysia. Screening of cord blood for G6PD deficiency by the semiquantitative fluorescent spot test (FST) is performed in Malaysia but this test can miss cases of partial G6PD deficiency. The OSMMR-D kit assay measures G6PD activity and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, allowing direct expression of results in U/gHb. We evaluated this method and established the normal range for G6PD activity in normal term neonates and adults. EDTA blood from 94 neonates and 295 adults (age 15-59 years old) with normal Hb and FST were selected. The normal means for G6PD activity for neonates and adults were 12.43 +/- 2.28 U/gHb and 9.21 +/- 2.6 U/gHb, respectively; the reference ranges for normal G6PD activity in neonates and adults were 10.15-14.71 U/gHb and 6.61-11.81 U/gHb respectively. There were no significant differences in mean normal G6PD activity between the Malays and Chinese racial groups or between genders. The upper and lower limit cut-off points for partial deficiency in neonates were 7.4 U/gHb (60% of the normal mean) and 2.5 U/gHb (20% of the normal mean), respectively. For adults, the upper and lower limit cut-off points for partial deficiency in adults were 5.52 U/gHb (60% of the normal mean) and 1.84 U/gHb (20% of the normal mean), respectively. The quantitation of G6PD enzymes using this OSMMR-D kit with Hb normalization was simple since the Hb was analyzed simultaneously and the results were reproducible with a CV of less than 5%.
