preliminary neonatal screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in wad medani maternity teaching hospital, Gezira state, Sudan [March - May 2009]

ABSTRACT

This prospective, hospital based study aims to perform preliminary screening of Glucose-6-phosp hate Dehydrogenase G6PD deficiency in newborns at Wad Medani Maternity Teaching Hospital. A cord blood samples from 221 newborns during a 3-month period were examined for G6PD activity using both qualitative and quantitative tests. Fluorescent Spot Test [FST] was used and the deficient samples were confirmed by quantitative assay and some of the normal samples were also assayed to know the level in normal subjects. The relation between G6PD deficiency and the variables of gestational age, sex, jaundice, haemolysis and anaemia was also examined and their statistical correlations were tested. Five neonates [3 males and 2 females] were found to be G6PD deficient. The incidence of G6PD deficiency was 2.3% [1.4% for boys and 0.9% for girls], this agreed to the international figures. The three male subjects had low WBC with low haemoglobin level and low packed cell volume [PCV], but none of them had high reticulocyte counts. There was no correlation between G6PD deficiency and the gestational age, haematocrit and reticulocyte counts of the cord blood. The incidence of G6PD deficiency in newborns in this preliminary study was 1.4% in males and 0.9% in females. Selective male newborns screening for enzyme deficiency by examining the cord blood using FST is recommended