SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE DEFICIENCY AMONG CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH Plasmodium falciparum MALARIA

  • Unique Paper ID: 154578
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 11
  • PageNo: 603-609
  • Abstract:
  • Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency has been shown to protect against malaria infection which affect 241 million people worldwide with an estimate of 627 000 malaria deaths in 2020 of which 95% in the African region and 80% were children under 5 years of age. In view of this, a study to determine the basic socio-demographic factors associated with G6PD deficiency among children diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in three senatorial district of Katsina state, northern Nigeria where there is paucity of demographic information was set out. A total of 200 patients diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria were included in the study. Their socio-demographic information and clinical presentations were also noted with the aid of scheduled questionnaire. All patients were analysed for G6PD enzyme deficiency using G6PD qualitative test. Out of 200 children sampled, 32 were G6PD deficient. Of the 32 deficient, 20 (62.5%) were males, 19 (59.4%) were from urban areas, 18 (56.3%) developed haemolytic anaemia between the age of 1-2years, 26 (81.3%) developed jaundice after birth which persist between one to two weeks, 7 (21.9%) had family history, 6 (18.8%) were consanguineously related, while only 5 (15.6%) were aware of the G6PD deficiency, thus, followed some diet and avoids some drugs. Factors that achieved statistical significance for severe haemolysis included younger age (P<05), male gender (P<05). Our study showed that there are significant co-relations between G6PD deficiency and factors such as sex, ethnic group, consanguinity, previous haemolytic crisis, jaundice outside of neonatal period, and anaemia. Among clinical signs, fever was significantly associated with the studied G6PD deficiency (p ≤ 0.0001). Prevalence of G6PD deficiency is considerably high in Katsina state. Therefore, the introduction of systematic neonatal screening is required.

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