Abstract

OBJECTIVE

Neonatal jaundice is one of the most frequent problems of the newborn. It may be variable in severity and may result in death. Although there are many causes of jaundice, sometimes it is not possible to find the ethiology. Neonatal jaundice is common in Ege region. Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is also frequently seen in Ege region and may cause neonatal jaundice. This study is planned to investigate the effect of G6PD in neonatal jaundice cases at Behcet Uz Children’s Hospital.

METHODS

The study group was consisted of 130 jaundiced baby who were admitted to Dr Behcet Uz Children’s Hospital Neonatology Department, because of jaundice. Babies with major congenital anomalies, with severe disease, who has direct hiperbilirubinemia and preterms below 1500g did not enrolled to the study group.

RESULTS

Of the 130 jaundiced babies, 25 had G6PD deficiency. Reasons for jaundice were ABO incompetibility (29.2%), G6PD deficiency (19.2%) and Rh incompetibility (5.4%). Bilirubin decreased in G6PD deficient babies significantly slower.

There was not a significant difference between other parameters. One of the babies with G6PD deficiency had signs of hemolysis.

When girls and boys in the G6PD deficiency group were compared, more exchange transfusion for girls (0.6-0.1) and a slower drop of total bilirubin levels below 12mg/L for boys (12.8-5.8 days) were significantly different between two groups.

CONCLUSION

G6PD levels should be determined when searching for jaundice etiology, including the girls. Besides, babies with low G6PD levels may develop jaundice without hemolysis and jaundice may be prolonged especially in boys.