Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in newborn infants of Eastern Saudi Arabia

Neonatal screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency was established in a large general hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. During the first 2 years of this program, samples from 2880 Saudi infants and 495 non-Saudi newborns were tested. Among Saudi infants, the overall incidence of G6PD deficiency was 26.6% in boys and 12.6% in girls. There was an apparent excess in the observed incidence of this enzyme deficiency in females. Parents of all infants who were G6PD-deficienct were counseled on how to prevent hemolytic complications. This enzyme deficiency is very common is this population, and neonatal screening for early detection is recommended

Prevalence of glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency among the staff and children in a boys school in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

A survey of erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency was conducted among 29 teachers and 437 children in a boys school in Qatif: 51.9% of Saudi Arabia boys and 50% of Saudi adult males on the teaching staff were found to be deficient in the enzyme activity test. The importance of health education to minimize the frequency and severity of haemolytic episodes is discussed