Henna-induced severe hemolysis: In Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency

ABSTRACT

Glucose- 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is one of the most common enzyme deficiencies worldwide. Lawsone is a chemical present in henna, the crushed leaves of which are not only used as a cosmetic agent but also as a therapeutic agent for some types of skin lesion. In vitro observations indicated that lawsone is an agent capable of causing oxidative hemolysis. We report a 42 - days old G6PD - deficient male infant with acute severe hemolysis after application of henna to treat his napkin dermatitis