Abstract

Pughikumo OC., Pughikumo DT.* and Olise G C.

ABSTRACT

Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X - linked inherited disorder which occurs when G6PD enzyme is absent or defective. And awareness of G6PD deficiency is pivotal in choice of certain pediatrics’ medications that can induce hemolytic anemia. This study preliminarily investigated G6PD deficiency in malaria infected blood samples of children aged between 1to5 years; using molecular technique. Rapid diagnostic tests were carried out to investigate the presence of malaria infection. DNA extraction, PCR amplification and sequencing were then carried out to identify the presence of G6PD deficiency in the sample. From the result, a male child tested positive for G6PD deficiency (i.e 4% of total sample); while the others (females) were not deficient in G6PD. This suggests a low prevalence of G6PD deficiency amongst children aged 1 - 5 attending clinic in Yenagoa.