Screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency by a simple method

The methaemoglobin reduction test (MHRT) was used at room temperature (27-32 degrees C) to screen for G-6-PD deficiency. Blood (0.5 ml) was incubated for 4 h. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained using the fluorescent screening method (FSM) (P less than 0.01). In the males, there was agreement in 95% of the cases. Most of the differences occurred in the females. It is concluded that since MHRT can be used at room temperature, and since the materials needed are cheap and easy to get and electricity is not essential, most hospitals should be able to use the MHRT method to screen for G-6-PD deficiency.