Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

    Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a frequent X-chromosome-linked enzyme abnormality. G6PD is the first key enzyme in the pentose phosphate metabolic pathway and is involved in the generation of NADPH, which is indispensable for biosynthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH). GSH prevents hemoglobin denaturation, preserves the integrity of red blood cell (RBC) membrane sulfhydryl groups and detoxifies hydrogen peroxide and free radicals in and on the RBC. G6PD deficiency possibly results in acute hemolysis after exposure to various oxidative stress, including infections, drugs or chemical substances and fava beans (favism). This study aimed to assess the prevalence rate of G6PD deficiency in geographic sections of Neyshaboor city (north-east of Iran). In this investigation 537 apparently healthy male volunteers, ranging from 1 day to 15 years of age, were randomly selected from Neyshaboor. The screening method for G6PD deficiency was performed by the fluorescent spot test. The overall prevalence rate of this deficiency was determinted to be 22.8% out of which 6% was severely deficient (class 2) and 16.8% was moderately-to-mildly deficient (class 3). This prevalence rate (22.8%) was found to be higher than those reported in other parts of Iran, which ranges from less than 1% in Makoo city (north-west of Iran) to 20% in Iranshahr city (south-east of Iran). Probably the prevalence rate of G6PD deficiency in east of Iran is higher than west. The results of this investigation, obtained via administering chi-squared test, did not show any significant relevance between prevalence rate of G6PD deficiency (P=0.266) and geographic area(P=0.266) or age groups (P=0.350).