EPIDEMIOLOGY OF G-6-PD DEFICIENCY IN SAUDI-ARABIA

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is the most frequently en countered red cell enzymopathy affecting the pentose phosphate pathway of glucose metabolism Objectives: The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological survey of G-6-PD deficiency in Saudi Arabia. Material and methods: Twenty-seven thousand, four hundred and seven Saudis living in 31 different areas were included in the study. The activity of G-6-PD was estimated in red cell hemolysates using com mercially available kits from Boehringer Mannheim GmbH and the units o f G-6-PD activity were calculated as mU/109 erythrocytes. Results: Ove rall frequency of G-6-PD deficiency was 0.0905 and 0.041 in Saudi male s and females, respectively. When separated on the basis of the provin ces, the highest frequency was in the eastern province in both males a nd females and the lowest was in the northern province. Further separa tion of the data was carried out and significant differences were enco untered in the different areas within each province. In each area the deficient females encountered were significantly more that the expecte d number calculated using Hardy Weinburg equilibrium. Discussion: G-6- PD deficiency frequently occurs in several areas of Saudi Arabia. In g eneral, this corresponds to malaria endemicity in the past. The Hardy Weinburg equilibrium is disturbed either due to the high rate of consa nguinity or to the inactivation of the normal X-chromosome (Lyons phen omenon) in the heterozygote females. Conclusions: Awareness programs a bout this frequent enzymopathy are needed in Saudi Arabia to prevent t he consequences of the deficiency state.