Erythrocyte glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and neonatal jaundice

ABSTRACT

Four years data from Special Care Baby Unit revealed neonatal jaundice [NNJ] as the commonest cause of hospitalization[1944 cases of NNJ out of 6454 admitted neonates]. Majority [47.5%] of babies with NNJ presented between 4-7 days of birth. One hundred and sixty infants with NNJ were positive for Glucose 6 Phosphate deyhdrogenase [G6PD] deficiency, of whom 153 were males and 7 females. Eighty five G6PD deficient babies required exchange transfusion and 23 developed bilirubin encephalopathy [BE] of which 7 died