Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency is the most prevalent enzymopathy in mankind. It has sex-linked inheritance. This enzyme exists in all cells. G6PD deficiency increases the sensitivity of red blood cells to oxidative dam- age. G6PD deficiency was discovered in 1950 when some people suffered hemolytic anemia as a result of taking antimalar- ial drugs (primaquin). Most people with G6PD deficiency do not have any symptoms, till they are exposed to certain medi- cations, Fava beans and infections; and then their red blood cells are hemolyzed. The degree of hemolysis changes accord- ing to the degree of enzyme deficiency and the oxidant agent exposure. G6PD deficiency has many different variants and Mediterranean variant is the most common mutation in the world. G6PD deficiency is considered a health problem world- wide, especially in Asia, Middle East and Mediterranean countries. In this article, we have reviewed the importance and function of G6PD enzyme, incidence rate of G6PD deficiency in the world and Iran, genetic and variants of this enzyme, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of the enzyme deficiency.