Severe hemolysis with normal blood count in a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient neonate.
A premature glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficient neonate was readmitted for exponential rise in the plasma bilirubin concentration to 33.0 mg dl(-1). Blood carboxyhemoglobin (2.8% of total hemoglobin, >threefold normal value) confirmed the presence of hemolysis; however, hematological indices were unchanged from the birth hospitalization. Serum unbound bilirubin, although present, was probably at a concentration insufficient to cause bilirubin encephalopathy. In G-6-PD deficient neonates, severe hemolysis may occur in the absence of hematological changes typical of a hemolytic process.
Kaplan
M
M
Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. kaplan@cc.huji.ac.il
Hammerman
C
C
Vreman
H J
HJ
Wong
R J
RJ
Stevenson
D K
DK
D001772:Blood Cell Count; D005955:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency / Q000097:blood*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051556:Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male