ABSTRACT
The polymorphic [TA]7 allele of the UGT1A1 gene results in decreased bilirubin conjugation. As a genetic co-factor, it can trigger neonatal jaundice in G6PD deficient individuals. In Kuwait, the incidence of G6PD deficiency is quite high. There are no data, however, on the frequency of the [TA]7 allele and it is not known how f requently this polymorphism occurs with G6PD deficiency. To answer this question, the UGT1A1 gene p romoter polymorphism was studied among G6PD deficient Kuwaitis was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Among 55 unrelated Kuwaiti blood donors with G6PD deficiency caused by the Mediterranean mutation, nine individuals were found to be homozygous and 26 heterozygous for the [TA]7. The frequencies of the [TA]6 and [TA]7 alleles were 0.6 and 0.4, respectively. High frequency of the [TA]7 allele and Mediterranean mutation among Kuwaitis may produce neonatal jaundice in up to 1% of the male and 0.6% of the female newborns