Neonatal screening program for G6PD deficiency in India: Need and feasibility.

ABSTRACT

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common genetic disorder affecting approximately 400 million people worldwide. In India, 390,000 children are born annually with this disorder causing significant morbidity and mortality in childhood. A National Neonatal Screening program for presumptive screening of all neonates using modified Formazan ring test method could be introduced. The test requires blood sample obtained using simple heel prick in the first 48 hours of life, and can be carried out using basic laboratory equipment and reagents. The screening program could be introduced in all institutional deliveries at tertiary hospitals in the major metropolitan cities and then gradually scaled up to cover institutional deliveries over the entire country. After field trials, the program can be expanded to cover home deliveries as well. Increased funding for the health sector under the National Rural Health Mission can provide the required financial support to the program.