Erythrocyte glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and neonatal jaundice

Four years data from Special Care Baby Unit revealed neonatal jaundice (NNJ) as the commonest cause of hospitalization (1944 cases of NNJ out of 6454 admitted neonates). Majority (47.5%) of babies with NNJ presented between 4-7 days of birth. One hundred and sixty infants with NNJ were positive for Glucose 6 Phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, of whom 153 were males and 7 females. Eighty five G6PD deficient babies required exchange transfusion and 23 developed bilirubin encephalopathy (BE) of which 7 died.