Prevalence and Pattern of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Different Haemoglobin Types in Ile-Ife

Abstract

Status of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and haemoglobin (Hb) types were determined in 1,216 individuals in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, using methaemoglobin reduction and cellulosoe acetate electrophoresis methods. The subjects were made up of 556 males and 660 females. Their ages ranged between 1 and 65 years. Three hundred and twenty-five (26.7%) were G-6-PD deficient. Of the 149 deficient females, 36 (5.4%) were homozygous and 113 (17.2%) were heterozygous. G-6-PD deficiency was recorded in subjects with Hb types AA, AS, AC, SC and SS except CC, hence there is no dependency relationship between G-6-PD status and Hb types. The prevalence rate of G-6-PD deficiency (26.7%) in Ile-Ife is high, hence it is suggested that for better management, G-6-PD screening should be done for patients who will be treated with oxidant drugs such as anti-malarials.

Keywords: G-6-PD deficiency, prevalence, pattern.

Journal of Medical Laboratory Science Vol. 13 (2) 2004: pp. 67-71