Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Screening in Israel-Arab and Palestinian-Arab Neonates

ObjectiveTo evaluate the frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency, the incidence of clinically significant jaundice (any serum total bilirubin value >75th percentile on the hour-specific bilirubin nomogram), and the need for phototherapy in the pooled male Israeli-Arab and Palestinian-Arab population born at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel.Study designQuantitative G-6-PD enzyme testing of umbilical cord blood was performed during birth hospitalization. G-6-PD deficiency was defined as any G-6-PD value <7.0 U/gHb. Transcutaneous bilirubin was performed daily during birth hospitalization, with serum total bilirubin testing in those with a transcutaneous bilirubin value >75th percentile.ResultsTen of 286 (3.5%) consecutively delivered male Arab newborns had G-6-PD deficiency. Clinically significant jaundice was higher in the population with G-6-PD deficiency compared with normal controls (relative risk, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.24-9.58). Thirty percent of the newborns with G-6-PD deficiency met American Academy of Pediatrics indications for phototherapy according to the high-risk (middle) curve on the phototherapy graph.ConclusionThe frequency of G-6-PD deficiency in the Arab neonatal population delivering at this medical center meets World Health Organization criteria for neonatal G-6-PD screening (3%-5%). As in other ethnic groups, clinically significant jaundice is more frequent in newborns of this ethnic group with G-6-PD deficiency compared with G-6-PD-normal controls. Neonatal G-6-PD screening for both males and females of this population subgroup, in conjunction with parental education regarding the dangers of the condition and its prophylaxis, has now been incorporated into our institution's routine G-6-PD screening program.