Abstract: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency), also known as favism (after the fava bean), is a sex (X) linked recessive inborn defect of metabolism that predisposes to hemolysis (spontaneous destruction of red blood cells) and resultant jaundice in response to a number of triggers, such as certain foods (fava beans), illness, or medication (ascorbic acid). Common among people of Mediterranean and African origin. The condition is characterized by abnormally low levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in the pentose phosphate pathway that is especially important in the red blood cell. G6PD deficiency is the most common human enzyme condition.; it is particularly common in populations living in malaria-endemic areas. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency in children at Vwang Village, Vom, Jos South, Plateau State, Nigeria. 242 children consisting of 126(52.1%) males and 116(47.9%) females with age ranging from 1-12 years were screened for G-6-PD deficiency using the methaemoglobin reduction test. Of the 242 children screened, the overall prevalence was 52(21.5%) with 25(19.8%) males and 27(23.3%) females. The prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency was found to be high in females when compared to males, although there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between G-6-PD deficiency in relation to gender. The highest prevalence rate of G-6-PD deficiency was observed among children in the age group of 1-4 years, however, not statistically significant (P>0.05). This study indicates a high prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency among children residing in Vwang Village, Vom, Jos South, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (G-6-PD), Children, Vom, Jos South, Plateau State.
Title: Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Children at Vwang Village, Vom, Jos South, Plateau State, Nigeria
Author: IHEANACHO CHARITY, ETUKA CHRISTIAN, UGWU BEN KINGSLEY, NNANNA OGBONNAYA
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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