The role of hemolysis in inducing jaundice in the newborns with G6PD deficiency

Background: Jaundice is a common disorder in neonates and G6PD deficiency is one of its known etiologic factors that could result in kernicterus. This study was done to determine (1) incidence of this enzyme deficiency in icteric newborns and (2) the role of hemolysis in inducing jaundice in G6PD deficient neonates. Methods: This is a 3-year cross-sectional study performed on 505 icteric newborn infants admitted to 22e Bahman hospital in Mashad. G6PD activity was measured qualitatively in the patients. The case group consisted of 34 newborns with G6PD deficiency and the control group included also 34 neonates without this enzyme-defect. In addition to routine laboratory tests, hemolysis indicators were also evaluated in both groups and data were analyzed statistically with SPSS. Findings: The incidence of G6PD deficiency was 6.7% (85% male and 15% female). Mean level of total bilirubin was significantly higher in case group (22.73mg/dl vs 19.25mg/dl in control group with pv<0.05). In each group hemolysis was proved to exist in only 2 neonates and Coombs test was negative in all of the patients. There were no significant differences in the mean level of hematocrit and reticulocyte counts between the two groups (pv