Last reviewed: 2 Feb 2021
Last updated: 11 Sep 2020
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- at-risk demographic
- positive family history
- history of infection or exposure to oxidative drugs or broad (fava) beans
- jaundice
- pallor
- dark urine
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)
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- CBC
- reticulocyte count
- urinalysis
- unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin
- LDH
- haptoglobin
- peripheral blood smear
Investigations to consider
- G6PD fluorescent spot test
- G6PD spectrophotometry
- genetic testing for G6PD variants
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
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
Professor of Hematology
University of Firenze
Florence
Italy
Disclosures
LL declares that he has no competing interests.
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