Prevalence of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia

Aim: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDD) is a worldwide problem with about 400 million cases recorded globally. The current work was conducted to investigate the prevalence of G6PDD as a cause of hemolysis among children attended to Arar maternity and pediatric hospital during five years (from first of January, 2014 to the end of December, 2018). Methods: Data file for children attended to Arar maternity and pediatric hospital during five years (from first of January, 2014 to the end of December, 2018) were collected with reference to their demographic data, manifestations, severity, genetic types, and triggering factors. Results: During the period of study, hemolysis was found in 194 cases. Only 59 cases (30.4%) were diagnosed as G6PD deficiency in Arar city. The majority of the recorded cases were males (93.2%) aged blow 6 years (about 55%). Positive family history of G6PD was reported in [21/59 cases (35.6%)] of cases while infections were reported to be the commonest (in about 50% of the cases) predisposing factor for hemolysis in the studied population. Regarding the variants of G6PD among the diagnosed cases, Med Variant was the commonest [40/59 cases (67.8%)], followed by B+Variant in about 14% of the diagnosed G6PDD cases. Among G6PD cases, pallor, tiredness and dark urine were the most common suggestive symptoms among the diagnosed cases. Conclusion: G6PDD remains a main cause of hemolysis among children which necessitate more awareness among the health staff and the general population about the disease for early proper management.