Outcome of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Neonatal Jaundice: A report of Khyber Paktunkhawa Pakistan

Neonatal jaundice is a very common disease in the neonatal period. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency decrease red blood cells (RBCs) membrane defense against oxidants and makes the patients prone to hemolysis and neonatal jaundice. Therefore, we arrange a cross sectional descriptive study to determine frequency of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in neonates with jaundice and the age of presentation of jaundice in G6PD deficient neonates presented at Department of Nursery unit Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar. 292 jaundiced neonates of age 0 days to 28 days with clinically diagnosed jaundice. Investigations like serum bilirubin level, direct and indirect, blood groups of baby and mother, G6PD decolorization time, were done in every neonate with jaundice. Frequency of G6PD deficiency in jaundiced neonates was determined among these jaundiced neonates. Age of the onset of jaundice in the G6PD deficient neonates was also recorded. It is concluded from the results of our study that frequency of G6PD deficiency in neonates with jaundice in this study was 16%. Avoidance of oxidant chemicals and drugs later in life will prevent chronic hemolytic anemia and acute hemolytic crisis.