Frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency in newborns with prolonged jaundice

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme deficiency in preterm and term newborns with prolonged jaundice.
METHODS: A total of 670 preterm and term newborns who applied to Zeynep Kamil Training and Research Hospital Pediatric Health Polyclinic with neonatal jaundice between January 1, 2014, and April 1, 2018, were retrospectively screened and included in the study. Birth weight, sex, gestational week, postnatal age, gender, phototherapy, and need for exchange transfusion were recorded. Laboratory evaluations included blood group typing of mother and newborn, serum total and direct bilirubin levels, reticulocyte count, and erythrocyte G6PD level. SPSS 22.0 was used as an evaluation program.
RESULTS: G6PD enzyme level was detected in 374 (55.8%) of the cases. Enzyme deficiency was detected in 12 (3.2%) cases. There was no statistically significant difference between the G6PD-deficient group and the G6PD-normal group in terms of all parameters except the total biluribin level. There was no case in whom exchange transfusion was performed with high bilirubin values. However, phototherapy was applied in 231 cases due to high bilirubin levels. It was determined that there was no need for phototherapy in all cases with G6PD levels.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: G6PD enzyme deficiency should be investigated in patients with prolonged jaundice.