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Hyperbilirubinaemia and erythrocytic glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Malaysian children
Insights
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency occurred in 4.5% of Chinese, 3.5% of Malay, and 1.5% of Indian newborns. Some infants with G6PD deficiency experienced severe hyperbilirubinemia requiring readmission.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common inherited condition.
- Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a frequent complication in infants with G6PD deficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of G6PD deficiency in newborns in Johor Bahru.
- To investigate the clinical course of hyperbilirubinemia in G6PD-deficient infants.
Main Methods:
- Screening of cord blood samples from 8,975 neonates for G6PD deficiency.
- Monitoring serum bilirubin levels in 100 neonates for seven days.
- Observing readmission rates for hyperbilirubinemia in G6PD-deficient infants.
Main Results:
- Overall G6PD deficiency incidence: 4.5% (Chinese), 3.5% (Malays), 1.5% (Indian).
- Serum bilirubin peaked at 12mg% around 96 hours in observed neonates.
- Six G6PD-deficient infants were readmitted due to hyperbilirubinemia requiring exchange transfusion.
Conclusions:
- G6PD deficiency has a variable incidence across ethnic groups in this population.
- Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in G6PD-deficient infants can be severe, necessitating close monitoring and intervention.
Abstract:
Cord blood from 8,975 babies delivered in Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru over a period of eight months (1st August 1985 to 31st March 1986) were screened for G6PD deficiency. The overall incidence was 4.5% in Chinese, 3.5% in Malays and 1.5% in Indian babies. One hundred of these babies were observed in the nursery for seven days and their daily serum bilirubin recorded. The serum bilirubin peaked at 96 hours to a value of 12mg%. None of the babies in the nursery developed a serum bilirubin level of more than 15mg%. Six of the babies with G6PD deficiency that were sent home were readmitted with hyperbilirubinaemia that needed exchange transfusion.