# Erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency-induced anaemia in children in Jos, North-Central Nigeria

## TL;DR

This study found a high rate of G6PD deficiency-induced anemia in young children in Jos, Nigeria, suggesting the need for routine screening.

## Contribution

The study provides new prevalence data on G6PD deficiency-induced anemia in children in Jos, Nigeria.

## Key findings

- 40% of children aged 0–5 years were found to have G6PD deficiency.
- 57.5% of anemic children had G6PD deficiency-induced anemia.
- 85% of parents had no knowledge of G6PD deficiency.

## Abstract

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDD), a common inherited enzyme defect, associated with severe neonatal anaemia and hyperbilirubinaemia, can result in permanent neurologic damage or death. Prevalence of G6PDD-induced anaemia in vulnerable groups, like children, is not known in our setting.

This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of erythrocyte G6PDD-induced anaemia among children aged 0–5 years old seen at Jos University Teaching Hospital, North-Central Nigeria.

This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted from February to June 2023. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and haemoglobin levels were analysed colourimetrically. Data were analysed; p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Out of 100 children aged 0–5 years (54 male, 46 female), 40 (40%) were G6PD deficient. Nineteen (35.2%) of the G6PD-deficient children were male and 21 (45.7%) were female. Fifty-one (51%) children were anaemic, 23 (57.5%) were G6PDD-induced; 85 (85%) of the parents had no knowledge of G6PD and its deficiency.

This study showed a high prevalence of G6PDD-induced anaemia among children in Jos. This suggests that there may be a need for early routine G6PD screening in children for early detection and proper intervention in those with the deficiency.

This study has objectively established high prevalence of anaemia, G6PDD and G6PDD-induced anaemia in children aged 0–5 years in Jos, Nigeria, highlighting the importance of G6PD screening in children.