G6PD deficiency is a genetic abnormality that results in an inadequate amount of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in the blood. This is a very important enzyme (or protein) that regulates various biochemical reactions in the body.
G6PD is also responsible for keeping red blood cells healthy so they can function properly and live a normal life span. Without enough of it, red blood cells break down prematurely. This early destruction of red blood cells is known as hemolysis, and it can eventually lead to hemolytic anemia.
What causes G6PD deficiency?
In people with G6PD deficiency Hemolytic Anemia incites from eating beans or any kind of legumes, it can also incite from some kind of infection or specific types of medicines such as:
– Antimalarial medicines
– Some Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
– Aspirin
– Sulfonamides
Risk factors:
You may have a higher risk of having G6PD deficiency if you:
• are male
• are African-American
• are of Middle Eastern descent
• have a family history of the condition
G6PD deficiency Symptoms & complications:
Most people with G6PD deficiency usually don’t experience any symptoms. However, some may develop symptoms when they’re exposed to the medication, food, or infection that triggers the complications resulting from the early destruction of red blood cells. Once the underlying cause is treated or resolved, symptoms of G6PD deficiency usually disappear within a few weeks
* G6PD deficiency symptoms:
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Urine that is dark or yellow-orange
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Paleness
• Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
G6PD deficiency treatment:
There is no cure to this disorder, but it’s possible to reduce the hemolytic seizures or reduce its symptoms by:
– Treat the hemolytic seizures inducers (such as the bacterial infection) by using suitable antibiotics immediately.
-In case the main reason was having a specific type of medicines or food we must stop having them for good.
The enzyme deficiency complications treatment:
In most cases, we don’t reach the complications and the patient doesn’t need treatment, but in case we reached hemolytic anemia that would demand treatment by supplying the patient with blood units to make up for the reduction and the intravenous rehydration.
In this case, the patient may need to stay at the hospital under close observation until he recovers from the hemolytic anemia.
How do we prevent the G6PD deficiency hemolytic complications?
– Avoid taking medication that aggravates the disease.
– Avoid eating beans and legumes
– Treat any infectious diseases immediately.
