Abstract
Background
Erythrocyte Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and malaria are causes of anaemia, a major public health concern.
Objectives
The study aims to determine the prevalence of malaria and malaria-induced anaemia in G6PD deficient children.
Materials and Methods
Fifty-five children aged 1–5 years confirmed positive for malaria and 45 same age and sex matched children confirmed to be malaria negative by 30% Giemsa-stained thick blood film examination participated in the study. G6PD activity was determined using ICuBIO Ichaem-535 Chemistry Analyser. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27. p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results
Fifty-five, out of the hundred study children were positive for malaria, 49 (49%) were G6PD deficient; 24 (43.6) of 55 malaria positive children were G6PD deficient, and 25 (55.6%) malaria negative children were G6PD deficient. Fifteen (53.6%) children positive for malaria were anaemic and 16(57.1%) of G6PD deficient children were anaemic. The prevalence of malaria-induced anaemia among the G6PD deficient children was 37.5%.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study showed a high prevalence of: G6PD deficiency (49%), malaria (55%), malaria in G6PD deficient children (43.6%) and malaria-induced anaemia among G6PD deficient children (37.5%) from Jos, North-Central Nigeria. In conclusion, our results suggest that there may be a need for inclusion of G6PD screening test as part of routine screening tests for neonates. This will help in early detection, awareness, prompt, accurate and focused treatment especially in acute hemolytic crisis. Understanding the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in other geographical regions of the country is recommended to inform the use of malaria intervention(s) such as primaquine, dapsone and other agents that induce acute haemolytic anaemia in G6PD deficient individuals.