Neonatal Screening for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency in Eastern India

Abstract

Introduction: The overall magnitude of the frequency of G6PD deficiency ranges between 0 to 10 percent in the Indian population. This prospective study was planned to estimate the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in newborn population born in a tertiary care centre in Eastern India. Methods: This prospective observational study was undertaken among all consecutively delivered neonates born in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Eastern India, between Apr 2016 and Oct 2017. Prematurity less than 32 weeks and perinatal asphyxia requiring extensive resuscitation were excluded from the study. Umbilical cord blood samples were collected in EDTA containers, drawn from the placental side of the umbilical cord incised while severing it at the time of birth. The G6PD levels were estimated quantitatively based on ultraviolet (UV) method by quantitative sphectrophotometric assay using ILab 650 fully automated analyzer. All babies wherein the cord blood G6PD levels was less than 6.95 mU/g of Hb was taken as deficient. Results: Mean (SD) of G6PD at birth was 12.56 (3.45) mU/g of Hb. Out of 1037 neonates, five were found to be G6PD deficient. There was increased incidence of neonatal jaundice requiring phototherapy in G6 PD deficient neonates, and it was statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of G6PD deficiency was 0.48% in term and late preterm neonates as assessed quantitatively in cord blood.