title: Prevalence of G6PD deficiency among recruits in the Singapore Armed Forces.
abstract: Between 1986 and 1990, 107,397 National Servicemen between the ages of 17 to 18 years were screened on enlistment for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme activity by fluorescent spot test. The overall prevalence rate was 1.6% with ethnic differences as follows: 1.62% for Chinese, 1.80% for Malay, 0.76% for Indian and 0.68% for other races. The majority had no prior knowledge of their G6PD deficiency status (89.9%), or of any significant haemolytic episode (93.3%). The rest gave a history of neonatal jaundice, non-neonatal jaundice, anaemia and haemoglobinuria. Maloprim, fava beans, sulphur drugs and aspirin were cited as triggering factors.
authors.affiliation: Headquarters SAF Medical Corps, Singapore Armed Forces.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000009:adverse effects; D005955:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials