Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia: a retrospective cohort study among 40,305 consecutively born babies.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDD) being highly prevalent in the Middle East, the primary objective was to estimate the incidence of neonatal jaundice among G6PD-deficient neonates and to explore its association with various risk factors. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study includes 7 years data of neonates diagnosed with G6PDD between 1st January 2015, and 30 September 2022, from Al Wakra Hospital, HMC Qatar. RESULTS: Among the 40,305 total births, 1013 had G6PDD with an incidence of 2.51%. Of all the G6PDD babies, 24.6% (249/1013) received phototherapy and three babies required exchange transfusion. Statistically significant associations were noted between the need for phototherapy and gestational age, gestational age groups, birth weight, and birth weight groups, but logistic regression analysis showed significant association for phototherapy only with the gestational age group. CONCLUSION: Universal screening and proper follow-up is essential for G6PDD as it plays crucial role in neonatal jaundice.