Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is a genetic disorder that occurs most often in males. This condition mainly affects red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. In affected individuals, a defect in an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase causes red blood cells to break down prematurely. This destruction of red blood cells is called hemolysis.
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G6PD Deficiency is a hereditary abnormality in the activity of an erythrocyte (red blood cell) enzyme. This enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), is essential for ensuring a normal life span for red blood cells, and for oxidizing processes. This enzyme deficiency may provoke the sudden destruction of red blood cells and lead to hemolytic anemia with jaundice following the intake of fava beans, certain legumes and various drug.
For see Drugs that should be avoided - Official List Click Here
For see Gene (G6PD: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) Click Here
References
- http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase-deficiency
- http://www.g6pd.org/g6pddeficiency.aspx
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/2539