Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the newborns in Sanandaj, Iran

BACKGROUND: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a genetic disorder and assessment of newborns with or without this deficiency is an essential component in public health evaluation in different countries. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in the newborn population in Sanandj, Iran. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study on 2016 newborns in Besat Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran, in the year 2006. Three drops of blood were collected from the infants' heels using sterile needles. Then fluorescent spot test was utilized to study the activity of G6PD enzyme. RESULTS: The results of the present study conducted on 2016 neonates showed that 48.80% (984) of them were males and 51.20% (1032) were females. Prevalence of G6PD deficiency in boys and girls were 7.62% and 2.52%, respectively with a male to female ratio of 3:1. CONCLUSION: G6PD deficiency is a gender related condition with a higher frequency among boys' population.