Screening for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency and Other Erythrocyte Enzyme Defects

Abstract

In contrast to most other inborn errors of metabolism, erythrocyte enzyme defects — as the thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies — are relatively common disorders. It has been suggested, for example, that more than 100 million people are affected with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Certainly, the afflicted individuals are not distributed evenly all over the world. Only in some regions is the incidence of G6PD deficiency high. It varies from 1% to 20% in the white population of the Mediterranean countries and among African and American black people. It amounts to not more than 2%–3% in southeastern Asia. In populations originating from central, northern, and western Europe, G6PD deficiency has been observed only sporadically.

With the support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn-Bad Godesberg.