Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in tribes of Northern Thailand : Preliminary study

Abstract

Introduction: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) plays a key role in regeneration of NADPH and maintenance of cellular redox balance. Mutations in the G6PD gene can lead to G-6-PD deficiency, an

X-linked enzymatic disorder, which is highly found in malaria epidemic area. Currently, there has been no

report of G- 6-PD deficiency in tribes, who live in the Northern of Thailand.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency in tribes in

Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lampang, Prae, and Nan provinces.

Materials and methods: Three hundred and thirty-three blood samples (male 144 and female 189) were screened for G-6-PD deficiency using methemoglobin reduction test.

Results: The results showed that 6 (1.8%) samples were G-6-PD deficiency, 10 (3.0%) were partial deficiency and 317 (95.2%) were normal.

Conclusions: The information from this study could be a preliminary data suggesting the genetic variation between the tribes and others population.

Bull Chiang Mai Assoc Med Sci 2014; 47(1): 18-22