Prevalence of G6PD deficiency among recruits in the Singapore Armed Forces

Between 1986 and 1990, 107,397 National Servicemen between the ages of 17 to 18 years were screened on enlistment for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme activity by fluorescent spot test. The overall prevalence rate was 1.6% with ethnic differences as follows: 1.62% for Chinese, 1.80% for Malay, 0.76% for Indian and 0.68% for other races. The majority had no prior knowledge of their G6PD deficiency status (89.9%), or of any significant haemolytic episode (93.3%). The rest gave a history of neonatal jaundice, non-neonatal jaundice, anaemia and haemoglobinuria. Maloprim, fava beans, sulphur drugs and aspirin were cited as triggering factors.