Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in jaundiced neonates seen at a tertiary care hospital of Sindh.
Methodology: This study was sone in the department of Pediatrics, SMBB Medical College Layari General Hospital, Karachi, Sindh from January 2019 to March 2022. A sample of 352 jaundiced neonates was included by convenient sampling (probability). G6PD enzyme assay was carried out by Color decolorization method (Sigma assay kit). Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.0.
Results: Out of 352 neonate 48 (12.8%) had G6PD deficiency. G6PD deficient neonates age was 4.91±2.110 days and 4.76±2.31 in those with normal G6PD levels (p=0.507).
Conclusion: The present study shows 12.8% frequency of G6PD deficiency in jaundiced neonates. Screening of G6PD is recommended for jaundiced neonates presenting clinically.

Key words: G6PD levels, jaundice, neonates, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.