- X-linked recessive disorder
- Diminished G6PD activity impairs the ability of the cell to form the NADPH that is essential for the maintenance of the reduced glutathione pool. This results in a decrease in the cellular detoxification of free radicals and peroxides formed within the cell.
- Most severe in erythrocytes, where the pentose phosphate pathway provides the only means of generating NADPH.
- Glutathione also helps maintain the reduced states of sulfhydryl groups in proteins, including hemoglobin.
- Heinz Bodies Exposure of G6PD-deficient red cells to high levels of oxidants causes the cross-linking of reactive sulfhydryl groups on globin chains, which become denatured and form membrane-bound precipitates known as Heinz bodies. These are seen as dark inclusions within red cells stained with crystal violet.
- Heinz bodies can damage the membrane sufficiently to cause intravascular hemolysis.
- As inclusion-bearing red cells pass through the splenic cords, macrophages pluck out the Heinz bodies and create "Bite Cells".
- Precipitating factors in G6PD deficiency
- Patients with G6PD deficiency develop hemolytic anemia if they are treated with an oxidant drug, ingest fava beans, or contract a severe infection.
- Oxidant drugs: mnemonic AAA—
- Antibiotics (for example, sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol),
- Antimalarials (for example, primaquine but not quinine), and
- Antipyretics (for example, acetanilid but not acetaminophen).
- Favism: G6PD deficiency is susceptible to the hemolytic effect of the fava bean, a dietary staple in the Mediterranean region. All patients with favism have G6PD deficiency.
- Infection
- Neonatal jaundice: Babies with G6PD deficiency may experience neonatal jaundice appearing one to four days after birth. The jaundice, which may be severe, typically results from increased production of bilirubin.
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