Concurrence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in pregnancy

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an inherited X-linked disorder affecting red cell function and presenting as haemolytic anaemia or crisis in apparently normal population. Pregnancy is a special metabolic condition which may be equally affected with G6PD deficiency. Chronic anaemia of pregnancy may be complicated by haemolysis due to G6PD deficiency by triggering factors often observed in non-pregnant. Two cases of G6PD deficiency complicating pregnancy are being described. One of the women presented with severe anaemia triggered by a sulfa drug while other presented with jaundice precipitated by acute urinary tract infection. A prompt management led to successful outcome in both the woman. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of acute haemolytic crisis due to G6PD deficiency triggered by sulphamethoxazole in pregnancy, from this part of the world.