G6PD GLUCOSE 6 PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme testing is used to screen for and help diagnose G6PD deficiencies. It may be used to screen children who had unexplained persistent jaundice as a newborn. Currently, newborns are not routinely screened for G6PD deficiency; however, this is dependent upon the specific state that provides the testing. According to the National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center, as of November 2014, two states provide G6PD testing as part of their newborn screening panel: Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.G6PD is an enzyme found in all cells, including red blood cells (RBCs), and helps protect them from certain toxic by-products of cellular metabolism. A deficiency in G6PD causes RBCs to become more vulnerable to breaking apart (hemolysis) under certain conditions.
