FREQUENCY OF G6PD DEFICIENCY AND ITS SEVERITY IN NEONATAL JAUNDICE IN REHMAN MEDICAL INSTITUTE, PESHAWAR

Objective: To detect the frequency of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and its association with neonatal jaundice.Methodology: This hospital based comparative study was conducted on neonates admitted for neonatal jaundice at Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar,Pakistan from 1st Jan, 2006 to 1 June, 2012. A total of 4900 patients were admitted during this time period, of which 1695 (34.6%) neonates were treated for neonatal Jaundice. Estimation of serum bilirubin (both direct and indirect)was done in all cases and G6PD was done in cases with severe jaundice or with any absolute indication.Results: Out of the total 1695 patients admitted for neonatal jaundice, 152(9%)babies were found to be G6PD deficient. Majority of the patients presented with jaundice in the first 4 days of life. G6PD was found to be the most severe form of jaundice with 56% out all exchange transfused neonates were having no other risk factor but G6PD deficiency. ABO (31.97%) and sepsis (30%) were the common causes of neonatal jaundice.Conclusion: G6PD is one of the common causes of neonatal jaundice. Babies with G6PD can present earlier and can have serious consequences.