ABSTRACT
We analyzed data from a single screening center in Taiwan from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2005 to evaluate the change in incidence and female to male ratio of G6PD deficiency. During the study period, 1,211,632 of 2,667,922 (45.41%) neonates delivered in Taiwan were screened at the National Taiwan University Hospital. Of these, 21,997 neonates (1.82%) were confirmed to have G6PD deficiency. The annual incidence has decreased since 2002, from 1.94% to 1.61%. During this period, the male to female ratio in the screened population was 1.091 (range 1.073-1.098), the incidences in male and female neonates were 2.81% (2.57-3.07%), and 0.7% (0.45-0.95%), respectively. The change in sex ratio of the disease was unrelated to the change in incidence. During 2000-2005, 15-25% of newborns were born from newly immigrated females. G6PD deficiency screening has confirmed a subtle genetic flow in Taiwan. Besides the psychosocial effects, medical issues caused by population movements should be carefully watched in the future in Taiwan.
Subject(s)
Female , Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/analysis , Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency/diagnosis , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Mass Screening , Sex Ratio , Taiwan/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Neonatal screening in Taiwan started as a pilot program in 1981. The coverage rate increased to 90% in 1990, and is currently more than 99%. Five diseases are covered in the screening program including congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, homocystinuria, galactosemia, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. A monitoring system was established at the same time to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment for positive cases. Neonatal screening is not compulsory by law in Taiwan, but the government is very concerned about it. New tests for neonatal screening have recently been included as pilot programs. Parents of the newborns have to pay for these tests, for which informed consent has to be given. These additional tests include screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and tandem mass screening. The results of these pilot programs will be offered to the government for policy decision-making in the future.