Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency-induced hemolysis in newly diagnosed diabetic monozygotic twins

A pair of monozygotic male twins are described who manifested hemolysis at the concurrent onset of diabetes type 1. Hemolysis appeared progressively f ollowing the correction of hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis (one twin). It wa s found to be related to unknown glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. Other causes of hemolysis such as drugs or bacterial infection were excluded. The fall in glucose availability after the correction of hy perglycemia is proposed as a possible explanation for hemolysis.