Information for Patients/Parents
(Originally written for ADK Hospital, for a leaflet).

What is G6PD?
G6PD is Glucose -6- phosphate dehydrogenase; the name of an enzyme.
This enzyme helps protect Red Blood Cells (RBCs) from damage and premature destruction.

What does it mean to have G6PD deficiency?
G6PD deficiency is an inherited condition in which the body doesn’t have enough of the enzyme glucose -6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Without enough G6PD Red Blood Cells can be damaged or destroyed. This may result in anemia and jaundice in some patients when exposed to certain agents or conditions.

G6PD deficiency can cause problems

1. Problems for newborn babies
   If a mother is G6PD deficient it may be passed onto one or more of her children. Many babies with G6PD
   deficiency are diagnosed because they have jaundice soon after birth. Severe jaundice can be serious fo newborn babies if it is not treated. It is usually treated by putting the baby under a special light for few days. Once jaundice has passed, they should not get other problems from G6PD deficiency as long as they avoid exposure to certain trigger agents and conditions.
   
2. Problems for children and adults
   Some children and adults with G6PD deficiency may develop hemolysis and anemia after they are exposed to trigger agents or conditions mentioned below:

• If they get fever
• If they take certain medicines
• If they eat fava beans (also called broad beans or foul).

At times, exposure may NOT result in adverse outcomes or any symptoms. However, in more serious cases the individual may have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Pale skin
• Fatigue
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Jaundice
• Backache
• Dark, tea- coloured urine

If your child is showing any signs of these symptoms, go to the nearest ER, Hospital or Health Center.

Commonly known hemolysis triggers to avoid in G6PD deficiency

1. Antipyretics:
   • Acentanilide
   • Phenacetin
   • Aminopyrine
   • Aspirin
   • Phenacetin
   • Indomethacin
   • Probenecid
2. Anti Malarials:
   • Primaquine
   • Quinine
3. Cardio vascular drug:
   • Procainamide
   • Quinidine
4. Sulphonanides / Sulphones:
   * Dapsone
   * Sulfamethoxy pyramidine
   * Sulfacetamide
   * Sulfapyridine
   * Sulfanilamide
   * Sulfasoxazole
   * Sulfasalazine
5. Foods:
   • Fava beans
   • Camphor
6. Antibiotics:
   • Chloramphenicol
   • Septran
   • Furozolidone
   • Furmethanol
   • Nitriofuranton
   • Para aminosalicilic acid
   • Ciprofloxacin
   • I N H
7. Others:
   • Diphenhydramine
   • Alpha methyldopa
   • Hydralazine
   • Mestranol
   • Naphthalene – Balls
   • Nivicazole
   • Phenyl hydrazine
   • Pyridium
   • Toluene blue / methylene blue
   • Trinitro toluene
   • Urate oridase
   • Vitamin K(water soluble)
8. Henna Leaves
   • Henna Extracts

Children with G6PD deficiency have rarely been reported to get hemolysis symptoms following exposure to the following agents/substances as well:

1. Legumes
2. Soy and Soy products
3. Menthol flavored candies, medicines and food

It is important to note that children with G6PD deficiency will grow up to live health, normal lives and their special condition can be managed by having adequate knowledge of suspect agents and preventing exposure to them.