الفهرس 
INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzyme deficiency in humans, that is most commonly prevalent in African, South East Asian and Middle Eastern populations. It is inherited as an X-linked recessive disorder. Many individuals with G6PD deficiency are asymptomatic. In addition, persons with G6PD deficiency can experience episodes of brisk hemolysis after ingesting fava beans or being exposed to certain infections or drugs. It can present also as neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
Diagnosis of G6PD deficiency based on the clinical history and haematological findings and by measuring enzyme activity with either quantitative or qualitative assays. The only way to accurately identify females that are heterozygous for G6PD is by either genotyping or cytochemical staining for intracellular G6PD activity. Management is primarily rests on the avoidance of oxidative insults that induce hemolysis. Hemolysis may be so severe that it may even require blood transfusion.
Family medicine physicians have a great role in early identification of G6PD- deficient subjects. They should screen anyone suspected of G6PD deficiency, with positive family history, and male neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia. Avoidance list should be prepared including any drug or food item that induce hemolysis. Physicians must inform their patients about nature of the disease and symptoms of an acute hemolytic crisis. The clinician should be able to identify both laboratory and clinical signs of hemolysis; and finally, if an acute hemolytic crisis is identified, the patient should be admitted for close observation and care.