Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Hemolytic Anemia
Number of Conditions: 1
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency
Specialty: Hematology
Category: Red Blood Cells and Disorders
Sub-category: Hemolytic Anemia
Symptoms:
fatigue; dark urine; jaundice; pallor; shortness of breath; rapid heart rate
Root Cause:
Deficiency in the G6PD enzyme makes red blood cells vulnerable to oxidative stress, leading to hemolysis.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
G6PD enzyme activity assay, CBC, and peripheral blood smear.
Treatment:
Avoidance of triggers (e.g., certain drugs, fava beans, infections), supportive care during hemolytic episodes, and blood transfusions if severe.
Medications:
No specific medications; management focuses on avoiding oxidative stress.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in malaria-endemic regions, affecting approximately 400 million people globally.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Male sex (X-linked condition), African, Mediterranean, or Asian ancestry.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with trigger avoidance; hemolytic episodes are self-limiting.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Acute hemolysis, neonatal jaundice, and potential kidney damage during severe episodes.