The Occurrence of Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency amongst Blood Donors at the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre-Mombasa, Kenya

Abstract

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) is an X-linked hereditary genetic defect that is estimated to affect 400 million people worldwide. This deficiency is associated with hemolytic disorders that may manifest depending on the molecular variant present, exposure to hemolytic triggers such as consumption of foods including fava beans and exposure to drugs including dapsone and primaquine. This disorder has been found to be more prevalent in malaria endemic zones of Asia, Africa and South America. This study determined the occurrence of G6PD deficiency among the donors at the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre-Mombasa, and whether any correlation existed between the occurrence of G6PD deficiency and either ABO blood type or haemoglobin concentration. Methaemoglobin reduction test was used to check for the presence of G6PDd among the blood donors, anti A and anti B sera were used to determine the blood types. Haemoglobin concentration was estimated using haematology analyzer. Multivariate analysis was done to establish the point prevalence of G6PDd in the donor population, the relationship between G6PD and ABO blood types and the correlation between G6PDd and haemoglobin concentration. Out of the 676 donors 9.6% were deficient of G6PD activity while 13.17% had red cells exhibiting partial activity. The point prevalence for all forms of G6PDd was found to be 22.79%. Blood group AB donors were least likely to exhibit G6PD deficiency compared to the rest of the ABO blood types. The association between G6PDd and haemoglobin concentration was inconclusive. The current findings indicate that G6PD deficiency exists among healthy donors without manifestation of clinical symptoms. G6PDd screening as part of donor blood testing regime would therefore allow for the discriminate use of G6PDd blood in transfusion dependent patients and neonates. It would also aid in establishing risk in the use of drugs associated with triggering clinical manifestations. Key Words: Transfusion, Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase, deficiency, blood donors.