Does your child have G6PD deficiency? Here’s what parents need to know about the condition, and some G6PD foods to avoid.
In this article, you’ll read:
- Signs and symptoms of G6PD in children
- Foods to avoid if you have G6PD
- Other things to remember for those with G6PD allergy
As parents, one of our primary jobs is to make sure that our kid gets the best care possible. We want them to be free from any serious diseases and we want to make sure that they have the right nutrients their body needs. To make sure this happens, we need to know if they have any allergies (especially with food) or if they are not getting enough of a particular nutrient.
Have you heard of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase or G6PD deficiency? It is the most common enzyme deficiency in humans, affecting 400 million people worldwide. It is a genetic condition that is common in males of Asian descent, and parents can pass it down to their children. Yes, moms, you can still have it without knowing. G6PD cannot be spread from one person to another.
So, how do you know if your child has G6PD deficiency? And what should you do if he does? Are there any prohibited foods or activities? Let’s find out.
G6PD Deficiency Guide for parents
What is G6PD Deficiency?
G6PD is an enzyme (protein) in the body that assists the function of red blood cells. G6PD deficiency is when there is not enough G6PD in the body. It is a hereditary condition which means that children born with it had it passed down from one or both of the parents. It occurs because of a mutation to the X chromosome.
What exactly does G6PD do?
In particular, G6PD is the enzyme responsible for keeping red blood cells healthy and functioning well, so that they can live a normal “lifespan.” However, without adequate G6PD in the body, red blood cell function weakens and can “die” prematurely.
When red blood cells break down early like this, it is known as hemolysis. And when this happens persistently, it can result in a condition known as hemolytic anemia.
The body works constantly to regenerate red blood cells, and by now you know that one of the main functions of G6PD is to assist with this. Hemolytic anemia develops when red blood cells die faster than the body can replace them. Following this, there is less oxygen flow around the body.
Most people with G6PD deficiency don’t have problems most of the time. However, certain food and medications can increase the rate of red blood cell breakdown and trigger anemia.
Jaundice in newborns could indicate g6pd deficiency. Phototherapy is often used to treat the jaundice.
Signs and Symptoms of G6PD deficiency
Most children with G6PD deficiency won’t show any signs of it. But food and medications can trigger the following symptoms:
- Dark-coloured urine
- Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes
- Fever
- Paleness
- Dizzyness
- Extreme tiredness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- An enlarged spleen
The good news is that symptoms will generally go away as the red blood cells renew themselves.
How do I know if my child has G6PD?
G6PD deficiency in a child generally isn’t diagnosed until symptoms emerge. When they do, doctors will confirm the diagnosis through a simple blood test. Other tests that may be conducted to measure the number of red blood cells in the body are a serum hemoglobin test, a reticulocyte count, and a complete blood count.
If a newborn baby has jaundice that is not improving, then a G6PD test might be conducted to rule out a deficiency of the enzyme. This could be any one or a combination of the blood tests mentioned above.
READ MORE:
Newborn jaundice and breastfeeding: What you need to know
ALAMIN: Ano ang G6PD deficiency, at paano ito naiiwasan?
Buntis Guide: This is what happens when your blood type is not compatible with your husband’s
A G6PD deficiency diagnosis in your baby needn’t stress you out. As you now know, it can be managed efficiently.
G6PD Foods to avoid
So what exactly triggers G6PD in children? Here’s a list of food, medication and even household products that a child with G6PD deficiency should avoid:
- Antibiotics (Sulphonamides, Co-trimoxazole, Dapsone, Chloramphenicol, Nitrofurantoin, Nalidixic acid)
- Aspirin
- Some pain and fever relieving medications in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) category
- Antimalarial drugs (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, primaquine, quinine, mepacrine)
- Large doses of vitamin C
- Some anti-cancer drugs
- Fava beans (broad beans or patani, although some experts recommend avoiding legumes entirely, including soya or soybean)
- Naphthalene (which is found in mothballs or some pesticides)
As a precaution, never give a child with G6PD deficiency any medicine (including supplements) without consulting with your doctor first. His advice is important to know which medications are safe.
If your child has G6PD deficiency, it’s important to inform every doctor that treats him about his condition. This is to avoid said drugs that might trigger anemia.
Treatment and prevention of G6PD deficiency
Moms and dads, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the list of triggers mentioned above. This is because treatment and prevention of G6PD deficiency is as simple as eliminating these medications and foods from your child’s life.
However, if a child has severe anemia, then he may need a stay in hospital to receive fluids and oxygen, and may need a blood transfusion. It is highly likely he will have to stay in the hospital until he has fully recovered.
So if your child has been diagnosed with G6PD deficiency, bring him to his pediatrician as soon as you notice any of the following symptoms:
- jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
- dark coloured urine
- anemia (pale skin and lethargy).
Also, if your newborn is confirmed to have G6PD deficiency (indicated through jaundice), the treatment will likely involve phototherapy to lower the amount of bilirubin in the blood.
Too much bilirubin—caused by destruction of the red blood cells—is what causes newborn jaundice. Phototherapy will help break down this bilirubin in the blood.
Moms, you should avoid eating fava beans (Baguio beans) for as long as you breastfeed your child and avoid taking the medications mentioned above, which act as triggers for hemolytic anemia. If your child is taking formula milk, consult your doctor about which kind of milk is recommended for babies with G6PD deficiency, as some products contain soy in them, which may be a trigger for anemia.
In summary, parents, G6PD deficiency is not a condition to panic too much about. Sadly, it is a lifetime condition. But as long as you steer clear of the triggers (make your G6pd foods to avoid list), your child would be okay. If you have other questions about G6PD deficiency in children, don’t hesitate to consult your child’s pediatrician about it.
Additional information by Camille Eusebio
Source:
Genetics Home Reference, Medscape, National University Hospital Singapore
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