Incidence of G6PD Deficiency and its Association with Neonatal Jaundice in Babies Born at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Meghalaya

Chandreshkumar Bavchandbhai Paneliya; Richard Mario Lurshay; Santanu Deb; Palash Ranjan Gogoi

Volume : V, Issue : XII, December - 2016

Incidence of G6PD Deficiency and its Association with Neonatal Jaundice in Babies Born at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Meghalaya

Chandreshkumar Bavchandbhai Paneliya, Richard Mario Lurshay, Santanu Deb, Palash Ranjan Gogoi

Abstract :

G6PD deficiency is a deficiency of an enzyme called glucose–6–phosphate dehydrogenase in red cells. G6PD deficiency is by far the most common genetic disorder in India. We undertook a prospective, case control, observational study from January 2013 to January 2014 to to find the incidence of erythrocytic G6PD deficiency in all babies born at Nazareth Hospital during the study period and to find out the association between G6PD deficiency and the appearance and severity of neonatal jaundice in such babies. A total of 2400 newborns were screened. Incidence of G6PD deficiency was 18 per 1000 live births. Amongst the ethnic groups, G6PD deficiency was 1.9% among the Khasis, 1.9% in Assamese newborns and 4% amongst Bihari newborns. There was a higher frequency of neonatal jaundice amongst babies who were G6PD deficient compared to non G6PD deficient babies, though the severity of jaundice was similar