Last reviewed: 2 Jan 2023
Last updated: 07 Apr 2022
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- jaundice
- pallor
- dark urine
More key diagnostic factors
Other diagnostic factors
- nausea
- cataract
- splenomegaly
Other diagnostic factors
Risk factors
- male sex
- neonate
- ethnic origin in the Mediterranean, sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, or Southeast Asia
- family history
- recent exposure to oxidative drugs
- infection
- recent exposure to broad beans (favism)
More risk factors
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- FBC
- reticulocyte count
- urinalysis
- unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin
- lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- haptoglobin
- peripheral blood smear
More 1st investigations to order
Investigations to consider
- G6PD fluorescent spot test
- G6PD spectrophotometry
- molecular analysis
More investigations to consider
Emerging tests
- point of care testing
Treatment algorithm
ACUTE
acute haemolysis
neonates with prolonged indirect hyperbilirubinaemia
ONGOING
chronic non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia
Contributors
Authors
Atul Bhanu Mehta, MA, MD, FRCP, FRCPath
Professor of Haematology and Consultant Haematologist
Royal Free Hospital and University College London School of Medicine
London
UK
Disclosures
ABM declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Lucio Luzzatto, MD
Professor of Hematology
University of Firenze
Florence
Italy
Disclosures
LL declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Sickle cell disease
- Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
- Isoimmune haemolytic anaemia: for example, ABO incompatibility
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Laboratory diagnosis of G6PD deficiency. A British Society for Haematology Guideline
- Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK
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