Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia
Madan, N.; Sundaram, K.R.; Bhargava, S.K.; Sood, S.K.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 90: 306-313
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 2620958 Document Number: 329600
Seventy four neonates with hyperbilirubinaemia and 47 non-jaundiced (control) neonates were studied for evidence of G6PD deficiency by spectrophotometric assays and 3 screening tests viz., ascorbate cyanide test, methaemoglobin reduction test and fluorescent spot test. The incidence of G6PD deficiency was significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in the hyperbilirubinaemic neonates (35.1%) as compared to non-jaundiced neonates (6.4%). The G6PD levels in the hyperbilirubinaemic neonates were significantly lower than in the non-jaundiced neonates (P less than 0.05). In 9(12.2%) hyperbilirubinaemic neonates G6PD deficiency was present, without evidence of any other factor known to cause hyperbilirubinaemia. Results of screening tests were essentially similar. However, even with all the screening tests, 11 of 29 neonates (37.9%) with mild G6PD deficiency were not detected showing the limitation of these tests.