Prevalence of G6PD deficiency in children presenting with jaundice in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Jaundice is a common presentation in children at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, with a variety of underlying causes including glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Aims of Study: To determine the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in children presenting with Jaundice in Ilorin, and whether routine screening for G6PD deficiency would be advisable in children presenting with Jaundice. Patients/Methods: One hundred children were recruited into the study over a period of one year. The children (male and female) were aged between one day and 15 years; with a mean age of 4.8 ± 5. Screening for G6PD deficiency was carried out using the methaemoglobin reduction method of Brewer. Results: The overall prevalence of G6PD deficiency in children presenting with Jaundice was 43.0 percent. Prevalence in males was 50.0 percent and 28.1 percent in females. Conclusion: The finding in this study indicates that children in the age group one day to 15 years presenting with jaundice at Ilorin have an overall 43.0 percent [males (50 percent) and females (28.1 percent) chance of having G6PD deficiency, as the underlying cause of their jaundice. This justifies the need for G6PD screening in children presenting with jaundice.