[Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: report of 2 cases]

Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an enzyme related to the metabolism of glutation, an antioxidant agent. Its deficiency causes hemolisis, generally well tolerated. However there are some factors including, exercise, infections and oxidants drugs that stimulate the hemolisis of the older red blood cells. We report two patients with G6PD deficiency, that were initially diagnosed as acute viral hepatitis. Although this pathology is not frequent it should be recognized, for the implication of giving profilactic antimalaric drugs in endemic areas. The diagnosis should be suspected in patients with unconjugated jaundice, always investigating the previous ingestion of oxidants drugs.