[Increasing prevalence of G6PD deficiency in the Netherlands]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2019 Apr 4:163:D3147.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked enzyme deficiency with a high prevalence in Sub-Saharan countries and countries in the Middle East. Due to increased migration in the past decennium, the prevalence of this disorder has increased in the Netherlands. Here we present three patients with acute haemolysis due to G6PD deficiency: a male neonate with severe hyperbilirubinaemia leading to kernicterus; a 3-year-old girl with a severe acute haemolysis due to an infection; and a 5-year-old boy with acute haemolysis with no clear cause. These cases serve to trigger the awareness of all caregivers of the increased prevalence of this disorder, and of the limited health literacy of many immigrants.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Female
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / blood
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / ethnology*
  • Hemolysis
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle East / ethnology
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Prevalence