Mommy Levy, What is G6PD deficiency?

My son has G6PD deficiency. We found out about it through a newborn screening.

Ren is only 2 months old here

To those who doesn’t know about this, let me explain it to you.

G6PD Deficiency or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenate deficiency is an inherited disorder that typically occurs in males. The said disorder is said to be the most common metabolic disorder affecting infants which requires strict nutritional and dietary care not only for the babies but also for their nursing mothers. It is often affecting the red blood cells which are responsible in the transportation of oxygen through the lungs and into the whole body. In this case, the body isn’t producing enough glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenate causing the disruption of red blood cells before they fully mature or hemolysis in medical term.

As an enzyme, G6PD is in charge in the process by which carbohydrates are broken down into energy. The said enzyme also helps in the protection of RBCs after the body’s system is exposed to medications, infections or other certain harmful byproducts. Hemolytic anemia is well thought to be the most notable indicator for the said disorder and is said to be caused by the intake of certain foods, medications or other substances that can trigger the stress. There is still no known cure until now but avoiding the substances that can trigger the symptom occurrence is recommended. Symptoms may include lethargy, fever, shortness of breath, jaundice, skin pallor or tenderness.

For you to be able to take good care of patients having this disease, you should always keep in mind that avoiding the triggering factors such as medications or other harmful substances should be in the top priority.

When we found out that my son has G6PD deficiency, we were given a list of foods and medicines to be avoided.

Foods to be avoided:
Fava Beans – also found in Mr. Bean and Dingdong nuts

photo via: weirdcombinations.com

Soya Food – Taho, Tofu or Tokwa, Soy Sauce
Redwine
Legumes – Habitswelas, Garbanzos, Kadyos or Black Beans, Monggo
Blueberry
Tonic Water
Bitter Melon or Ampalaya

Herbs to be avoided:
Cattle gallstone bezoar
Honeysuckle flower – present at Johnson & Johnson green powder
Chimonanathus flower
100% Pearl powder
Figwortflower
Acalypha indica

Chemicals to be avoided:
Mothballs
Methylene Blue- found in aquarium
Arsine
Phenylhydrazine
Toluidine Blue
Trinitrotoluene
Aniline Eyes
Camphor
Napthalene
Henna
Menthol -Alaxan Gel, Begesic, Ben-gay, Broncho Rub White, Efficascent Oil, Listerine mouthwash
Listerine Pocketpacks, Mediplastin, Megascent Oil, Mentopas Medicated Plaster, Metsal, Omega Pain Killer and even candies like Max’s, Stork etc

Next should be the proper diet modification because through this you can control and minimize the risks of the child to suffer the symptoms associated with the disease. And since newborns having this disorder is said to be experiencing a lot more severe levels of jaundice, some mothers are suggested to temporarily stop breast-feeding for it can cause the liver to improperly conjugate bilirubin.

As a parent, here are some tips that you should do to prevent hemolytic crisis.
1. You should tell your child’s doctor that he has G6PD deficiency. This is important so that the doctor will not prescribe oxidative drugs in case your child gets sick. The doctor would also be able to watch out for hemolytic crisis and would immediately know what to do just in case it happens.

2. Keep your list of oxidative substances in a handy place. Our list is in the refrigerator door, and we always double check food, beverage and medicine labels against the list.

3. Memorize the signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia:

• paleness
• dizziness
• headache
• difficulty in breathing
• rapid and strong heartbeats
• tea-colored urine (dark brown)
• abdominal or back pain