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Massive acute haemolysis in neonates with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

¹ Department of Neonatology, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
² Department of Haematology, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham B4 6NH
³ Department of Paediatrics, City Hospital, Birmingham B18 7QH

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Dhillon
Neonatal Unit, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TG UK; amritdhillon{at}hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
Three neonates with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are described. All three patients suffered an episode of massive acute haemolysis, in the absence of blood group incompatibilities, infection, or ingestion of oxidising agents known to trigger haemolysis. One patient died, but the other two survived after an exchange transfusion. This highlights that G6PD deficiency in the neonatal period may present with severe anaemia in association with hyperbilirubinaemia.

Keywords: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; haemolysis; hyperbilirubinaemia; anaemia; transfusion

Abbreviations: DCT, direct Coombs test; G6PD, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; Hb, haemoglobin concentration; TPN, total parenteral nutrition; WCC, white cell count

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