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Health status of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient and other newborns in Sarawak, Malaysia

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  • Introduction: To study the health status of 200 G6PD enzyme-deficient Sarawak newborns, we compared their birth records to those of non-deficients in terms of low birth weight (LBW). To characterize ethnic groups, we analysed newborns in terms of LBW and G6PD population frequency. Methods: For this retrospective study, health records for the year 2006 were obtained from the Sarawak General Hospital. Enzyme deficiency was determined by the fluorescent spot test. Results: In a sample of 1248 newborns, 12.3% had low birth weight (LBW). The enzyme-deficient newborns were comparable to non-deficients in terms of LBW. Ethnic groups differed in their population frequency of the genetic deficiency. Genetic-deficiency data on Chinese and Melanau in Sarawak are reported here for the first time. In contrast to the usual studies on adults, G6PD studies on newborns reveal the deficiency transmission rate and provide a baseline fto guage the future health status of deficient children. Conclusion: While deficient newborns showed no relative excess of LBW, the deficiency persists in populations in Sarawak, despite the known vulnerability to hemolytic anaemia caused by oxidizing agents. This persistence accords with the persistence of malaria in Sarawak, to which G6PD deficiency is known to provide some resistance.
  • Keywords: Sarawak, health, newborns, G6PD, genetics
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