Treatment:
In most cases, individuals suffering from G6PD deficiency do not require treatment. Instead, drugs, chemical exposures and foods like fava or broad beans that are able to cause oxidant stress should be avoided. Hence, it is essential to identify and discontinue such substances in patients with G6PD deficiency. Treatment for anemia should be appropriately selected by the patient’s doctor and is influenced by factors such as overall health, medical history and tolerance for specific medication and procedures. However, red blood cell transfusions are rarely needed for G6PD deficiency anemia and may be used in severe cases of haemolytic anemia and neonatal jaundice (caused by access of bilirubin).
Infants that suffer from prolonged neonatal (relating to newborns) jaundice due to G6PD deficiency may seek phototherapy with bili light (a light therapy tool) which induces the secretion of bilirubin by converting them into water soluble isomers through the use of light.
In cases of non-spherocytic anemia or chronic hemolysis, patients should be given folic acid supplements which are taken on a daily basis. However, a geneticist and a haematologist should be consulted.
Events of acute kidney injury may also require dialysis.
However, as they say, Prevention is better than treatment.
Infants that suffer from prolonged neonatal (relating to newborns) jaundice due to G6PD deficiency may seek phototherapy with bili light (a light therapy tool) which induces the secretion of bilirubin by converting them into water soluble isomers through the use of light.
In cases of non-spherocytic anemia or chronic hemolysis, patients should be given folic acid supplements which are taken on a daily basis. However, a geneticist and a haematologist should be consulted.
Events of acute kidney injury may also require dialysis.
However, as they say, Prevention is better than treatment.
How can we prevent G6PD deficiency?
Prevention:
Neonatal screening for G6PD deficiency is one of the best way to allow prevention and timely treatment. A study in southern Iran shows that the hospitalization rate of people with G6PD deficiency decreased after the neonatal screening program was practiced there. Symptoms such as neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and hemolytic anemia were able to be prevented and treated within a week of childbirth. Furthermore, people with a family history of G6PD deficiency conditions should seek genetic counselling for more knowledge and advice about the risk of passing on or inheriting the condition and go for genetic tests such as enzyme assays that measure enzyme activity of G6PD or sequence analysis of the coding region that cause G6PD deficiency to occur.
Neonatal screening for G6PD deficiency is one of the best way to allow prevention and timely treatment. A study in southern Iran shows that the hospitalization rate of people with G6PD deficiency decreased after the neonatal screening program was practiced there. Symptoms such as neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and hemolytic anemia were able to be prevented and treated within a week of childbirth. Furthermore, people with a family history of G6PD deficiency conditions should seek genetic counselling for more knowledge and advice about the risk of passing on or inheriting the condition and go for genetic tests such as enzyme assays that measure enzyme activity of G6PD or sequence analysis of the coding region that cause G6PD deficiency to occur.