# Severe Haemolysis in Patients with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Secondary to Dengue Fever: Analysis of 3 cases from Oman

## TL;DR

Three patients in Oman with G6PD deficiency developed severe haemolysis after contracting dengue fever, leading to fatal or severe outcomes.

## Contribution

This paper reports the first cases of dengue fever-induced haemolysis in G6PD-deficient patients, highlighting a novel clinical interaction.

## Key findings

- Three G6PD-deficient patients in Oman developed severe haemolysis after dengue fever.
- One case was fatal and another required dialysis due to irreversible renal damage.
- The combination of dengue fever and G6PD deficiency may increase morbidity and mortality.

## Abstract

Dengue fever (DF) is a viral fever transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquitoes. Globalisation has led to worldwide spread of DF including Oman. High incidence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is present in Oman's population but is often undiagnosed. We report 3 G6PD-deficient patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman in 2023 with DF that later triggered haemolysis. It proved fatal in 1 case and caused irreversible renal damage requiring dialysis in the other case. Both DF and G6PD deficiency can cause bleeding. Both need supportive treatment. G6PD deficiency with concomitant viral infections have been reported to increase morbidity and mortality. Haemolysis triggered due to DF in G6PD deficient patients has not been reported in the literature. If the clinical course or haemolytic pattern in DF patients deviates from what is to be expected, an associated haemolytic disorder should be considered especially in regions with high prevalence.