G6PD Deficiency

Key points

• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the commonest red blood cell enzyme defect. It is more common in people from the Mediterranean and Africa and is inherited in an X-linked recessive fashion.
• neonatal jaundice is often seen
• intravascular haemolysis
• gallstones are common
• splenomegaly may be present