Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Screen (G6PD), Red Blood Cell |
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G6PD is an enzyme necessary for the production of NADPH through the pentose phosphate pathway in the red blood cell. NADPH is required in the red cell to reduce glutathione, which protects hemoglobin from oxidative damage. If G6PD is present, NADP will be converted to NADPH, which will fluoresce. G6PD deficient blood will not fluoresce.
With G6PD deficiency, hemoglobin is susceptible to oxidant damage, and denatured globin precipitates in the RBC forming Heinz bodies. This leads to membrane rigidity and premature removal of red cells by the liver and spleen. G6PD deficiency is a common cause of drug induced hemolytic anemia. Clinically significant hemolysis may occur with numerous drugs including antimalarials, sulfonamides and analgesics. Hemolysis may also occur with infections or after eating fava beans (favism).
Results are reported as normal or deficient. The reference value is normal.
Specimen requirement is one lavender top (EDTA) tube of blood.
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