Screening for Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency among Mangalorean Population

Background: Aim of this study was to quantitatively estimate the G6PD to determine the frequency of G6PD deficiency among the population of Mangaluru, Karnataka, India. Material and Method: This cross sectional study consisting of 150 healthy individuals who attended the A.J. Hospital and Research Centre, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India. Blood samples were collected from all the individuals and used for the analysis of Hemoglobin (Hb), serum total bilirubin and G6PD activity. Result: Hundred and forty five out of 150 subjects had normal enzyme activity, two had low and three have high G6PD activity. The Pearson correlation between G6PD activity and Hb concentration showed statistically significant correlation. Conclusion: In our study out of 150 individuals, only two samples tested were G6PD deficient. Thus according to this study screening for the enzyme deficiency need not be included under the routine tests.