Item#: 965-35 G6PDH Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Recombinant

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is an X-linked recessive hereditary disease characterised by abnormally low levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (abbreviated G6PD or G6PDH), a metabolic enzyme involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, especially important in red blood cell metabolism. Individuals with the disease may exhibit nonimmune hemolytic anemia in response to a number of causes, most commonly infection or exposure to certain medications or chemicals.

This X-linked disorder is the most common type of haemolytic anaemia due to an intrinsic red cell enzyme defect.

Males who inherit an abnormal gene are invariably affected. Heterozygote females usually have approximately 50% G6PD enzyme activity; the random Lyonisation of X chromosomes means that rarely carrier females may be severely affected.

It is most common in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, South East Asia and West Africa. It is rare among Caucasians