Evaluation of Glucose- 6- Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Icteric Newborns in Nigeria

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the most important causes of neonatal jaundice in Far Eastern, Mediterranean and African countries including Nigeria. Although neonatal jaundice is common in our area of practice (Rivers state), no documentation has been made of the prevalence of G6PD deficiency and its contribution to neonatal jaundice in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence G6PD deficiency among neonates at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Special Care Baby Unit of UPTH, Port Harcourt, Nigeria between January 2006 to December 2006.
Materials and Methods: We included 400 neonates with jaundice. Jaundice was assessed clinically and confirmed by laboratory estimation of serum bilirubin. G6PD enzyme activity was assayed quantitatively using the method of Kombery.
Results: A total of 400 neonates comprising 288 (78.0%) males and 112 (28.0%) females were recruited into the study. The male/female ratio was 2.6:1. Of these, two hundred and eight (52.0%) were born in UPTH, the study site while 192 (48.0%) were born in other hospitals but referred and admitted into SCBU of UPTH. A total of 210 neonates were G6PD deficient giving a prevalence of 52.5%. Among the G6PD deficient neonates, 145 (69.0%) were males while 65(31.0%) were females. The mean level of G6PD activity for the deficient neonates was 17.3 ± 10.9 %. Levels of enzyme activity were significantly lower in affected males than in the affected females (P<0.05).
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of G6PD deficiency among neonates seen at the UPTH, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This calls for routine screening of every new born for the enzyme deficiency.